General Counsel

Tandy Leather Factory • Fort Worth, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The General Counsel serves as Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.’s chief legal officer, overseeing legal, regulatory, and compliance matters. In this small NASDAQ-listed company, the role combines strategic leadership with hands-on legal work, providing practical guidance to executive leadership, business teams, and the Board of Directors. The position is a member of the leadership team, reports directly to the CEO, and is based at the company’s headquarters in Benbrook, Texas.

Tandy Leather is a specialty retailer and resource for leather workers, with more than 100 retail stores across 40 U.S. states, six Canadian provinces, and Spain. Its products include leather, tools, buckles and adornments, dyes and finishes, saddle and tack hardware, and do-it-yourself kits. The company also provides classes and teaching resources.

The General Counsel leads legal work across human resources, compliance and risk management, commercial agreements, strategic transactions, intellectual property, corporate governance, securities, and Board engagement. The role supports company strategy, governance, and risk management while balancing legal risk with business objectives.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing; Texas membership is preferred.
• At least 8 years of legal experience, including significant in-house legal experience.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior executives and Boards of Directors.
• Proven commercial acumen and experience supporting business growth initiatives.
• Experience with employment law and HR-related legal matters.
• Strong business judgment and a commercial mindset.
• Ability to operate in a lean, fast-paced environment.
• Executive presence and ability to engage effectively with the Board.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• High ethical standards and integrity.

Nice To Haves

• Public company experience.
• Texas bar membership.
• Experience in a retail or consumer-facing company.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. securities laws and public company compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal investigations, including employee-related and whistleblower matters.
• Provide legal guidance on employment matters, including hiring, terminations, and employee relations.
• Advise on compensation, equity plans, and benefits programs.
• Draft, review, and maintain employee policies and consult on other human resources matters.
• Develop and maintain company-wide compliance programs, including workplace policies and codes of conduct.
• Monitor regulatory requirements affecting a publicly traded company with domestic and international operations.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks across the organization.
• Manage litigation, disputes, external counsel, and the legal budget.
• Act as a strategic business partner to the leadership team and provide commercially focused advice supporting business strategy and revenue growth.
• Structure, draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including vendor, partnership, lease, independent contractor, and nondisclosure agreements.
• Balance legal risk with business objectives using a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach.
• Advise on corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, financings, and strategic partnerships.
• Oversee intellectual property portfolio management and protection strategy.
• Ensure compliance with SEC and stock exchange regulations, including periodic filings such as Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, and proxy statements.
• Oversee insider trading and other governance policies and disclosure controls.
• Advise the Board of Directors and leadership team on governance best practices.
• Work with the Board and its Audit, Compensation, and Nominating/Governance committees.
• Serve as Company Secretary and lead preparation for Board, committee, and stockholder meetings, including agendas, minutes, and other materials.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and a pay-for-performance culture.
• Regular incentive bonus programs consisting of cash plus equity, based on performance and productivity.
• 10 paid holidays available on the first day of employment.
• Unlimited paid time off beginning 60 days after employment starts.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance coverage options.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Employee discounts on company products.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree