Associate General Counsel

Packaging Corporation of America•Lake Forest, IL

About The Position

The Associate General Counsel (AGC) provides legal counsel and related services to clients across all levels of the corporation, from the Chairman of the Board to operating management, managers, and staff. The role may involve litigation management; counseling; transaction design, negotiation, and documentation; and other legal services. The AGC also participates in managing and administering the Legal department and may provide legal services to an operating division, staff group, or specialized area of law. The primary focus is advising Human Resources and business leaders on employment matters throughout the employee lifecycle, including hiring, accommodations, leave, performance management, termination, and compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. The AGC develops and executes legal strategies, advises corporate task forces on new or difficult issues, evaluates processes to reduce legal risk and improve legal services, and may select and manage outside counsel, consultants, and other professionals. The position handles complex, sensitive legal and business issues using sound professional judgment and a broad understanding of company operations. The AGC interacts frequently with people at all levels, including senior executives, and is expected to provide polished, ethical, honest, and effective legal services while supporting the company’s commitment to service.

Requirements

Graduate of an ABA-accredited law school.
Member of a Bar Association.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey thoughts, concepts, positions, and arguments clearly, concisely, professionally, and effectively for the audience and circumstances.
Knowledge of a broad range of legal areas commonly encountered in PCA’s business, or in-depth knowledge of a specific legal area important to PCA.
Ability to conduct in-depth investigations involving the necessary people and resources.
Ability to provide focused instructions to support staff or clients on gathering information and to coordinate company efforts successfully.
Ability to gather information efficiently and determine when sufficient information has been collected.
Personal initiative to recognize and undertake appropriate tasks and projects without specific instructions.
Previous experience as a team member, or a strong understanding of the importance of open communication and information sharing among team members.
Ability to apply sound professional judgment to complex legal, business, and practical issues.
Integrity, ethical conduct, respect for others, punctuality, and a professional demeanor.

Nice To Haves

Experience in litigation management or direct participation in litigation.

Responsibilities

Advise the Human Resources department and business leaders on employment matters throughout the employee lifecycle, including hiring, accommodations, leave, performance management, termination, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Manage litigation or participate directly in litigation matters, as applicable.
Manage administrative charges, including EEOC matters.
Conduct workplace investigations, including investigations of ethics complaints and harassment.
Collaborate with the Labor Relations team on applicable matters.
Serve on major corporate task forces developing and implementing policy for new or difficult company issues.
Develop legal strategies that address and resolve problems consistently with the law and the company’s interests, and follow through to satisfactory results.
Provide legal and law-related services to company officers and managers at all levels.
Analyze complex legal problems and transactions, determine appropriate courses of action, and plan, negotiate, and document solutions to legal and business problems.
Select and hire outside counsel, consultants, and other professionals as needed; define assignments, negotiate fees, review work product, and approve final products for payment.
Evaluate individual, departmental, and corporate processes and procedures and implement improvements to reduce legal risks, respond to changes in the legal environment, or improve delivery of legal services.
Follow company policies and procedures, share useful information with team members, and identify ways to improve service delivery.
Support PCA’s Commitment to Service by doing what is right for customers, focusing on strategies that add value and support growth, and keeping promises.