Senior Legal Counsel

United Wheels Inc.•Miamisburg, OH

3d•$160,000 - $190,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Legal Counsel serves as the lead in-house attorney for Covation Global / United Wheels Inc. and its operations in the Americas and internationally. This role provides strategic legal counsel across the business, personally handles major transactional and litigation matters, and serves as Corporate Secretary for the company and its subsidiaries. As Covation Global grows across brands, borders, and business lines, sound legal counsel is what keeps that growth protected — in every transaction, across intellectual property, through litigation and risk, and in the governance that holds the enterprise together. This role is the hands-on legal partner to the business and executive leadership: handling the company’s most significant transactional and litigation matters, safeguarding its IP, and serving as Corporate Secretary for the company and its subsidiaries. Strong work here directly protects the company’s interests, reputation, and ability to operate and expand.

Requirements

U.S. Juris Doctorate required; degree with honors and/or law review experience preferred.
Minimum of 10 years of combined experience in corporate law departments and regional/national law firms providing service directly to corporate clients.
Microsoft Office required.
Juris Doctorate with active license to practice law.

Nice To Haves

International experience a plus.
Continuing Legal Education in selected areas.
A passion for cycling and the outdoors!

Responsibilities

Provide expert and strategic legal advice to Covation Global’s ownership and senior management on a wide range of legal matters, including corporate governance, commercial transactions, regulatory compliance, employment law, litigation, and intellectual property.
Work with the Group General Counsel, the CEO, and executive leadership to develop and implement legal strategies that align with Covation Global’s business objectives, while protecting the company’s interests and reputation.
Personally handle all major transactional legal matters (in conjunction with outside counsel, as necessary), including acquisitions and dispositions; banking agreements; dealer and distribution agreements; in-bound and outbound licensing agreements; inter-company agreements; commercial leases; nondisclosure agreements; employment agreements; insurance-related agreements; consulting agreements; and the like.
Advise on legal aspects of financing arrangements with lenders, including assessing and advising on current and future loan agreements, business structures, and legal entities.
Provide insight into domestic and foreign tax law and regulations (including transfer pricing), as well as securities and antitrust laws; assist in the implementation of any IPO of the parent or affiliated group company, debt and equity offerings, and mergers and acquisitions.
Work closely with sales, marketing, and product development teams to acquire, protect, and defend company intellectual property assets, including through the use of patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. Oversee the management of Covation Global’s intellectual property portfolio, working with external IP counsel and IP agents.
Supervise and/or manage outside litigation (excluding non-material product liability); select and direct outside counsel when required to provide the best possible legal service, using a cost-benefit evaluation to resolve litigation.
Keep senior leadership informed of legal and regulatory developments that may impact the company’s operations, and advise on appropriate responses.
Work closely with the Product Safety and Compliance teams on all material product liability matters, including litigation or potential litigation, regulatory reporting, and assisting as necessary on all corrective actions. Proactively address product liability, compliance, and environmental legal matters, as well as any other disputes.
Serve as a member of the United Wheels Benefits Advisory Committee. Review, as needed, benefit/welfare plans for compliance with law and investment manager contracts, and advise the committee or its designee.
Prepare and manage the budgets for Covation Global’s and its affiliates’ legal department. Review and approve billing from outside counsel and implement measures to cost-effectively manage Legal Department costs.
Provide advice and develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including the Immigration Act, Workers’ Compensation laws, FLSA, ADA, COBRA, ERISA, and other legislative or administrative requirements. Oversee regular training to management and employees on EEOC, FCPA, antitrust, and other relevant laws and regulations.
Work with senior leadership to promote and encourage a culture of ethical behavior throughout the organization through appropriate policies and training.
Other duties compatible with the position that may be assigned by the Group General Counsel or the CEO.
Serve as Corporate Secretary for Covation Global and its subsidiaries, supporting the Board of Directors and its committees, including preparing agendas, notices, board and committee materials, and accurate minutes.
Maintain corporate records, resolutions, bylaws, and entity documentation, and manage corporate governance calendars, filings, and statutory requirements.
Supervise the legal corporate housekeeping of all subsidiaries; assure compliance with the requirements of applicable state and foreign laws; and, where requested, serve as an officer of some or all entities.
Support corporate governance best practices and advise the Board and leadership on governance matters and fiduciary duties.