Managing Counsel – Commercial/Transactional

Sumitomo Electric U.S.A. Holdings, Inc.•Detroit, MI

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Sumitomo Electric U.S.A. Holdings, Inc. (SEUHO) seeks a sophisticated and experienced attorney to fill the position of Managing Counsel in SEUHO’s Legal Department, which oversees all legal and compliance issues for the Sumitomo Electric group companies operating in North and South America. The Managing Counsel’s primary responsibilities will be to provide corporate and commercial legal services to SEUHO’s largest U.S.-based affiliate, Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Inc. (SEWS), which is a major global manufacturer and seller of automotive wire harnesses and related products. SEWS and its subsidiaries have more than 30 locations and approximately 37,000 employees in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The Managing Counsel will be responsible for corporate and commercial matters, but will also have to function as an in-house generalist. The Managing Counsel may also work with other Sumitomo Electric Group companies in North and South America that design, manufacture, and sell a wide variety of electric components, electrical wires and cables, industrial materials, information and communication devices, and cutting-edge energy storage. The Sumitomo Electric Group companies are subsidiaries of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., which is a publicly-traded company on the Tokyo stock exchange and is a Fortune global 1000 company. In addition to their practice experience, strong candidates will possess exceptional communication skills, an ability to work in a collegial, business-centered environment, and an intrinsic interest in learning new areas of law. Located at the SEWS facility in Farmington Hills, Michigan, this position is designated as a hybrid position, generally contributing from both the office and work from home locations. The Managing Counsel will report to the SEUHO Assistant General Counsel located at the SEWS facility in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and to the General Counsel of the Americas.

Requirements

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and membership in good standing with at least one state bar.
At least 8 years of relevant general corporate and transactional legal experience, including experience in both a major law firm and a corporate law department.
Experience in the automotive industry, preferably in the corporate law department of an auto manufacturer or supplier, including familiarity with the automotive supply chain and automotive industry contracting practices.
Experience with actively drafting and negotiating contracts of various degrees of complexity.
Experience counseling business units on a variety of issues including commercial matters, contract negotiations, procurement-related matters, and best practices for corporate policies and procedures.
Ability to build relationships and work closely with business stakeholders to understand their business processes, applications, and technologies.
Ability to operate in a fast-paced, sophisticated, and congenial work environment.
Ability to supervise and work closely with outside counsel to identify and minimize business risks and to achieve strategic objectives in a cost-effective, timely basis.
Willingness to work cooperatively to grow and develop the legal function to support mature and successful businesses.
Ability to work with business and legal contacts, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Ability to work variable hours and travel, as needed, to both domestic and international locations.

Nice To Haves

Spanish and/or Portuguese language capability

Responsibilities

Provide corporate and commercial legal services to SEUHO’s largest U.S.-based affiliate, Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Inc. (SEWS).
Function as an in-house generalist.
Work with other Sumitomo Electric Group companies in North and South America.
Actively draft and negotiate contracts of various degrees of complexity.
Counsel business units on a variety of issues including commercial matters, contract negotiations, procurement-related matters, and best practices for corporate policies and procedures.
Build relationships and work closely with business stakeholders to understand their business processes, applications, and technologies.
Operate in a fast-paced, sophisticated, and congenial work environment.
Supervise and work closely with outside counsel to identify and minimize business risks and to achieve strategic objectives in a cost-effective, timely basis.
Work cooperatively to grow and develop the legal function to support mature and successful businesses.
Work with business and legal contacts, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Work variable hours and travel, as needed, to both domestic and international locations.