Commercial Counsel

International Paper•Memphis, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for supporting the business and compliance goals of the corporation by providing timely, cost-effective, expert legal services to business management, the converting facilities, and the global sourcing and procurement organization of Packaging Solutions North America (“PSNA”). This role operates under the functional guidance of the PSNA Legal, Director, Converting & Procurement and as a functional partner with specialty lawyers. The Commercial Counsel will provide legal support, deliver strategic and tactical guidance, prepare and negotiate buy/sell agreements, initiate and oversee research on business-related legal matters, and facilitate communication between specialist counsel and business management. Additionally, this role involves managing, leading, and developing direct reports, and developing and delivering training to staff on legal topics relevant to commercial operations.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) or Equivalent Law Degree
Minimum 10 years of legal experience required
Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction is required; Tennessee is preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. commercial law, including contract drafting, review, and negotiation.
Minimum of 7-10 years of experience as a practicing attorney, with a focus on commercial transactions and counsel, either in a law firm or as an in-house practitioner.
Proven ability to identify, assess, and mitigate legal and business risks in commercial agreements.
Strong negotiation skills with experience working directly with clients, vendors, and business partners to resolve complex legal and business issues.
Ability to understand and align legal advice with business objectives and operational needs.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Experience with legal research tools, document management systems, and standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite).
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
Experience directing and managing direct reports.
Project and/or process management experience.
High-level judgment and decision-making skills required.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Procurement and supplier transaction experience a plus.
Familiarity with regulatory frameworks relevant to commercial contracts (e.g., data privacy, anti-bribery, export controls) is preferred.
Presentation skills.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides timely, accurate and expert legal counsel to business management, commercial organization, procurement and operations and other specialized counsel, while fostering a customer-centric client network throughout the organization and within the PSNA Legal Department.
Delivers strategic and tactical guidance with an enterprise-wide perspective.
Serves as a resource for day-to-day legal questions from business teams, including regulatory compliance, risk management, and dispute resolution.
Deliver clear, practical advice to enable informed decision-making.
Prepare, review, and negotiate customer and supplier contracts to support packaging sales and procurement.
Ensure contracts protect the company’s interests and comply with applicable laws and industry standards.
Initiates and oversees research on business-related legal matters that may influence corporate or operational financial performance.
Facilitates communication between specialist counsel and business management, promoting a collaborative working environment that encourages and supports cross-functional communication, innovative approaches to legal matters and collaborative problem-solving.
Manages, leads, and develops direct reports.
Develop and deliver training to staff on legal topics relevant to commercial operations, including contract management, antitrust compliance, and regulatory updates.
Work closely with sales, operations, procurement, real estate, and executive teams to advance business goals while managing legal risk.