Associate General Counsel

Total Wine & More

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Total Wine & More is seeking an Associate General Counsel (AGC) to join our Legal Department team in Bethesda, Maryland. You will serve as a legal advisor to the Company and its affiliated businesses operating under the Total Wine & More name in 30 different states and District of Columbia. You will interact with and provide legal advice and guidance to the more than 10,000 team members who work in Total Wine's retail stores and functional departments within our corporate offices in Bethesda, MD, in a multitude of different subject areas, including corporate governance, store expansion and licensure, compliance, intellectual property, advertising, and employment law. You will work closely with the Company's General Counsel and legal staff, state and local government agencies, and a team of outside counsel to oversee the Company's litigation and compliance matters in 30 states (and counting) as well as District of Columbia. You will report to the General Counsel.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree required or equivalent years of experience
Juris Doctor (JD) required
10+ years experience working as a lawyer in a private commercial law firm or hybrid of that law firm experience and in-house counsel in a corporate legal department
Superior written and oral communication skills, and strong legal reasoning skills are required
Strong business communication skills
Ability to work both independently and with others
Ability to thrive in a changing, fast-paced environment
Strong knowledge of employment laws and regulations
Strong legal research, writing and editing skills
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Active and in good standing with bar admission in Maryland, D.C., or Virginia

Nice To Haves

Prior legal experience in employment/labor law litigation, commercial agreements and litigation, real estate lease negotiations. and/or licensing

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing Total Wine & More’s operations across 30 states and District of Columbia, proactively identifying risk areas and implementing mitigation strategies.
Partner with the General Counsel, Government Affairs team, and state agencies/legislatures to shape regulatory strategy and support legislative engagement.
Monitor and interpret regulatory changes in the alcoholic beverage industry, advising leadership on implications and strategic responses.
Manage outside counsel relationships, overseeing litigation, regulatory matters, and contract negotiations to ensure alignment with business goals and cost efficiency.
Advise the executive team, Board of Directors, and senior leaders on legal risks, policy changes, and governance matters that impact business operations and strategic initiatives.
Counsel business unit leaders—including HR, Store Operations, Finance, Marketing, and Store Development—on legal requirements, best practices, and strategies to advance company objectives.
Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations to guide internal decision-making and ensure consistent application across departments and support the development of internal policies and compliance programs that reinforce ethical standards and regulatory adherence.
Review and negotiate complex contracts, including vendor agreements and real estate transactions, ensuring legal soundness and alignment with business priorities.