Senior Regulatory Counsel

Ellsworth Adhesives•Germantown, WI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Ellsworth Corporation, a global, industry-leading distributor of specialty chemicals and equipment and adhesive manufacturer, is seeking a Senior Regulatory Counsel. This role reports into our corporate headquarters in Germantown, WI, with a hybrid work arrangement preferred. Fully remote candidates may be considered if outside of commutable distance. This position serves as senior regulatory legal counsel for environmental, health and safety, product stewardship, and chemical and trade compliance matters. The role provides risk-based regulatory interpretation and strategic and practical guidance to business leaders, Sales, Operations, and technical regulatory and quality teams to support compliant manufacturing, distribution, and sales activities.

Requirements

8+ years of related legal experience in environmental, health and safety, chemical regulatory, product stewardship, and trade law.
In-house experience supporting manufacturing, chemical, industrial, distribution, or similarly regulated operations preferred
Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school required
Admitted, active, and in good standing with the State Bar of Wisconsin, or with another state bar and registered or eligible to register as in-house counsel with the State Bar of Wisconsin.
Access to controlled technology or technical data may be required for this role. Candidates must be legally authorized to obtain such access under applicable U.S. regulations.
Advanced knowledge of environmental, health and safety, product stewardship, chemical and trade compliance law, with demonstrated experience interpreting complex regulatory requirements.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex regulatory matters, investigations, enforcement responses, and cross-functional legal initiatives with limited supervision.
Excellent legal research, analytical, written, and oral communication skills.
Proven ability to exercise sound and practical business judgment and provide clear, risk-based legal advice.
Ability to translate statutes, regulations, agency guidance, and enforcement trends into actionable business options.
Ability to establish strong relationships and influence leaders and technical professionals without direct authority.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, sensitive matters, and time-critical issues in a fast-paced environment.
History of maintaining organized, accurate, and comprehensive records.
Supports a culture of ethical behavior, legal compliance, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Nice To Haves

In-house experience supporting manufacturing, chemical, industrial, distribution, or similarly regulated operations

Responsibilities

Leads legal strategy and advises on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and related U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements, including chemical reporting, new chemical review, significant new use rules, import certification, and recordkeeping
Interprets federal, state, local, and applicable international environmental, health and safety, product stewardship, and chemical and trade compliance requirements affecting products, facilities, and supply chains
Counsels business and technical teams on chemical classification, labeling, storage, transportation, product restrictions, customer certifications, and regulatory declarations
Reviews, drafts, and updates Safety Data Sheets, Technical Data Sheets, product compliance statements, and related communications for legal and regulatory risk
Leads or directs legal responses to regulatory inquiries, subpoenas, information requests, internal investigations, enforcement matters, incident response, and corrective actions
Advises on environmental permitting, hazardous materials transportation and waste requirements, emergency planning and reporting, remediation, and related emerging considerations
Partners with Sales, Operations, technical regulatory and quality teams, and business leaders to translate legal and regulatory requirements into practical, risk-based options
Anticipates and monitors regulatory developments, assesses enterprise risk, and leads the development of guidance, training, templates, processes, and procedures for areas of responsibility
Advises on regulatory terms in commercial, procurement, lease, access, and services agreements, including allocation of environmental and chemical product compliance risk, and supplements commercial and corporate work of the Legal Department as needed
Selects and manages external counsel, consultants, and other legal resources for assigned matters
Supports trade compliance matters that intersect with chemical or product classification, import and export requirements, sanctions, tariffs, and government contracting obligations
Executes additional assignments and projects as required to advance Legal Department and organizational priorities