Lead Corporate Counsel

TDS Telecom•Madison, WI

About The Position

At TDS, connecting people is at the heart of everything we do. We are forward thinkers who leverage cutting-edge fiber internet technology to strengthen communities. We are dedicated to excellence, which drives us to succeed together, creating a better world through meaningful connections. Ready to make an impact? As Lead Corporate Counsel, you will serve as a trusted legal advisor to senior leadership, providing strategic guidance that supports business objectives while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws. In this role, you will manage contract negotiations and reviews, oversee dispute resolution, and proactively mitigate legal and business risks across the organization. You will coordinate legal services with internal teams and external counsel, monitor outside counsel performance to ensure efficiency and effectiveness, and advise on a wide range of legal matters. By delivering practical, forward-thinking legal solutions, you will play a critical role in protecting the company’s interests and enabling informed decision-making at every level. Why Join TDS? Impactful Role: You’ll have a direct influence on strategic decisions and help shape the legal framework that drives our success. Collaborative Environment: Work closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams in a dynamic, supportive culture. Professional Growth: We invest in your development through challenging projects, ongoing learning opportunities, and exposure to diverse legal matters. Purpose-Driven Organization: Join a company committed to integrity, innovation, and making a positive impact in the communities we serve.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
Admission to a state bar and in good standing
6+ years practicing law at a law firm or corporate legal department
3+ years of contract negotiation experience

Nice To Haves

In-house legal experience at a public company
Experience with one or more of the following: construction contracts and/or litigation; privacy law compliance; negotiating technology agreements, reviewing advertising / marketing materials for compliance with FTC regulations and other consumer protection laws; employment and/or labor law; corporate governance
Experience working in a regulated industry, particularly telecommunications
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Experience with building collaboration to create alignment across all levels of key internal and external stakeholders
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal risks to business leadership
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and negotiate a high volume of commercial agreements and other legal documents to support business units.
Assess contractual risks and ensure compliance with company policies and applicable laws.
Maintain and update standard contract templates and online business terms.
Provide strategic legal advice that supports business objectives while mitigating legal risks.
Participate in senior leadership meetings to advise on business strategies, product development, and related legal implications.
Collaborate with other internal legal counsel across business units, ensuring effective legal support across the organization.
Manage legal matters, delegate work appropriately, and ensure timely responses to internal clients.
Lead initiatives to improve efficiency and quality of legal services and operations.
Manage pre-litigation dispute resolution, including drafting and/or responding to demand letters, issuing litigation holds, investigating facts, preparing risk analyses, advising on settlement, strategies, and drafting settlement agreements.
Oversee assigned litigation activities, coordinating with outside counsel and internal stakeholders.