Senior Counsel

Johnsonville•Sheboygan Falls, WI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Johnsonville’s legal team provides counsel, service, and leadership across a wide range of subjects including contracts, employment, litigation, regulatory matters, and governance. The Senior Counsel will play a key role in supporting the growing global Legal team, offering broad exposure to legal operations across Johnsonville’s presence in the Western Hemisphere. This generalist role will handle a diverse portfolio of legal matters, including contracts, employment, employee benefits, litigation, regulatory matters, and governance. The successful candidate will possess a strong business acumen, curiosity for Johnsonville’s business drivers, and a passion for enhancing legal skills within the organization.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited institution, required
At least 7+ years of experience practicing law at a law firm and/or in-house, required
Strongly preferred to have a combination of law firm and in-house experience
Experience providing superlative counsel, advice, and training to management and their related functions, required
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated high integrity, sound judgment, and the ability to manage confidential information with care
The ability to work independently in a fast paced, high-volume environment, and handle both small and large matters with equal effectiveness and enthusiasm
Strong business judgment and the ability to understand and respond to business issues and needs
Ability to encourage risk-taking at the company’s level of risk tolerance
Results-driven, with the ability to inspire others deliver highest impact on customer success
Proven track record for leading and influencing people
The ability to “issue spot” and exercise sound judgment across multiple areas of the law
Effective leadership style
A coachable attitude; able and willing to receive and provide constructive feedback
Curiosity and a love for lifelong learning
A member in good standing with the Wisconsin bar (or acceptable equivalent)
Applicants must be eligible to work in the country where this job is located, without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

Responsibilities

Partner with members (including senior management) of the U.S. Johnsonville business units and shared services; partner with International Business Unit to provide support for operations in Canada, Mexico, and South America/Caribbean
Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts and NDAs in various areas such as vendor, customer, IT, employment, engineering, leases, real estate, transportation, logistics, insurance, tax, and finance
Assist with litigation and pre-litigation matters, including contract disputes, transportation, intellectual property, product liability, and employment; respond to subpoenas
Manage trademark and patent portfolios with the assistance of outside counsel
Advise Member Services (HR) team on HR matters, including employee benefits and employment laws
Support strategic activities such as mergers and acquisitions, licensing, joint venture and co-packer agreements
Handle regulatory and compliance matters, including domestic and international human safety and food safety food regulations
Support Compliance team in implementing effective compliance policies and practices
Advance the legal department’s mission through training, coaching and mentoring
Report directly to the Associate General Counsel
Exemplify the Johnsonville Way in all communications and interactions