[CJ America] General Counsel - Los Angeles

CJ AMERICA INC•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The General Counsel at CJ America, Inc. serves as the Head of the Legal Team for U.S. operations, providing strategic, proactive, and business-oriented legal counsel to executive leadership and cross-functional teams. This role encompasses oversight of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, employment and labor law matters, commercial transactions, and risk management across business sectors including bio, food/food services, entertainment, logistics, and related industries. The General Counsel will lead and develop a high-performing legal function, manage outside counsel relationships, and ensure the company operates in compliance with applicable laws while supporting growth and strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate is a seasoned attorney with strong business acumen, exceptional leadership skills, and a track record of navigating complex legal matters, including M&A and joint venture transactions, in dynamic, multi-industry environments.

Requirements

JD (Juris Doctor) degree from a top accredited law school with strong academic credentials
Admitted to practice in California or admitted as Registered In-House Counsel in California
10+ years legal practice experience; 7+ years as an in-house counsel preferred
Proven expertise in M&A, joint ventures, corporate governance, commercial contracts, employment/labor law, compliance, and risk management
Proficient in legal research tools, document management software, and standard office applications
Proficient in legal software (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg, case management systems) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Well-organized and hardworking, with the ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously under deadline pressure
Detailed-oriented with a high level of intellectual, professional and interpersonal agility and flexibility, with the ability to handle ambiguity, combined with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Team-oriented, ability to form strong working relationships with partners and employees while maintaining firm adherence to proper legal standards and using sound judgment
A "can do", problem-solving approach looking for the "win-win" in dealing with internal members/departments and external counsel, customers and vendors
Demonstrated leader and strategic thinker, with a bias to action, the ability to resolve conflict, and operating with determination, passion and a positive attitude

Nice To Haves

Korean-English bilingual strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Executive Advisory: Provide counsel to the CEO, executive team, and U.S. affiliates on high-impact business initiatives, transactions, and operational decisions. Align legal strategies with business objectives and risk appetite
Corporate Governance: Lead corporate governance activities including board and committee management, entity administration, corporate recordkeeping, and oversight of regulatory compliance programs
Commercial Strategy: Oversee, negotiate, and advise on a broad range of commercial contracts, partnerships, and agreements, ensuring alignment with business strategy and risk management
Contractual Execution: Lead the drafting, negotiation, and review of a broad range of commercial agreements, ensuring alignment with business goals, legal risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance
Regulatory Interpretation: Interpret and advise on key contractual and regulatory provisions with a focus on balancing business strategy with legal obligations
Transaction Management: Manage legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and joint venture transactions, including due diligence, structuring, negotiation, integration, and ongoing JV governance
Employment & Labor Law: Serve as the primary legal advisor on U.S. employment and labor matters, providing strategic counsel on workforce policies, compliance with labor and employment laws, risk mitigation, and dispute resolution. Deliver hands-on support to business leaders and U.S. affiliates on day-to-day employment issues, including contracts, terminations, benefits, and employee relations. Partner with HR to develop and implement employment policies and ensure alignment with corporate objectives
Dispute Resolution: Manage or provide guidance on employment-related litigation and disputes, overseeing outside counsel and providing strategic direction to protect the company’s interests. Advise business leaders and HR on case strategy, risk assessment, settlement options, and compliance with regulatory obligations
Immigration Compliance: Provide guidance on U.S. immigration and work authorization matters for employees across business units and affiliates. Advise on visa applications, renewals, compliance with federal immigration laws, and cross-border workforce planning. Partner with HR and business leaders to ensure seamless workforce mobility and mitigate immigration-related risk
Litigation Oversight: Direct and oversee litigation and regulatory matters, managing outside counsel and developing effective dispute resolution strategies
Risk Management: Develop and implement company policies, processes, and best practices to mitigate legal and operational risk
Affiliate Partnership: Partner directly with U.S. affiliates to provide support and practical guidance on legal and compliance matters, including operationalizing corporate policies, mitigating regulatory risk, and supporting day-to-day business decisions
International Alignment: Collaborate with the Korea affiliates to ensure consistency in corporate, legal and regulatory approaches, align on key business decisions, and support unified direction across corporate and commercial initiatives
Reporting: Prepare and present key legal updates, risk assessments, and recommendations to executive leadership
Cross-Border Coordination: Create ad-hoc and routine reports and work with affiliates in U.S. and Korea. • Team Leadership: Build, lead, and mentor legal team, fostering professional growth, efficient workflows, and effective cross-functional collaboration
Strategic Support: Execute additional responsibilities as required to support company objectives