Corporate Counsel (Business Development & Regulatory)

Botrista•Chicago, IL

1d•$144,000 - $194,000

About The Position

We are seeking an attorney who is proactive, with a “practical deal-maker" spirit while sufficiently sophisticated in their legal risk management capabilities to join our rapidly growing beverage robotics team as our first dedicated In-House Counsel under the Global Legal Team. You will be reporting to Chief Legal Officer/Global General Counsel directly and serve as the primary legal counsel for our nation-wide Business Development teams in the U.S. and may have opportunities to be involved in potential transnational/cross-border transactions and/or investment projects. This role requires a unique blend of high-volume commercial contracting, institutional procurement expertise (K-12 and Higher Ed), and a deep understanding of federal food safety and relevant regulations.

Requirements

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
Admitted to the State Bar or eligible for immediate registration.
10+ years of legal practice, preferably with a mix of top-tier law firm training and in-house experience at a technology, robotics, or food-tech startup.
Proven experience with government/institutional contracting or food-service sector regulations is highly preferred.
A solutions-oriented "business partner" capable of providing practical legal advice in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with publicly traded/large food and beverage companies (e.g., Coca-Cola, Pepsi, etc.).
Experience working with a diverse and multinational, multicultural workforce is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as the key counsel supporting our business negotiation for national customer agreements, including Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Pilot/Testing Agreements, and Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) contracts for chain restaurants and university/colleges canteens.
Navigate and execute complex RFP (Request for Proposal) processes for K-12 school districts, ensuring strict compliance with USDA National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and local state agency procurement rules.
Monitor and ensure that our "bots" comply with NSF/ANSI 169 sanitation standards and FDA/USDA food safety regulations across all 50 states.
Manage product liability risk and safety certifications (e.g., UL 3320) for robotic equipment operating in high-traffic student environments.
Ensure all data collection processes (e.g., student meal plan integrations) adhere to FERPA and evolving state-level data privacy laws.
Build and maintain a scalable library of commercial contract templates and playbooks to accelerate the sales cycle.