Job Overview:
The Chief Legal Counsel has overall responsibility for the legal affairs of Clinipace and its subsidiaries. The Chief Legal Counsel advises the company on legal matters, oversees legal department operations and provision of legal services, and formulates corporate legal strategy to protect against risk and advance business goals. In addition, the Chief Legal Counsel is responsible for oversight of compliance matters, litigation matters, contracts negotiations, and the company’s equity and debt transactions, and M&A transactions, as well as oversight of the company’s data protection initiatives.
The Chief Legal Counsel is a corporate officer and member of the Executive Team and serves as a close counselor to the CEO on all matters affecting the organization.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
The Chief Legal Counsel must demonstrate executive level experience and success in devising and managing legal strategies, corporate relationships, and negotiations with various third parties. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Providing guidance and overseeing compliance with US and international laws and regulations affecting the company's operations. Relevant areas of law include corporate governance and transactions; venture financing; lender financing; fundraising; contracts and commercial transactions; intellectual property; data privacy, and labor and employment.
Maintaining knowledge of the company’s operations and legal documents and preserving all corporate records.
Managing the budget and operations of the legal department, including:
recruiting, training, supervising, and retaining effective legal professionals
directing and managing effective legal service delivery processes to ensure timely and effective services for business partners within the company;
leveraging technology and metrics to maximize departmental efficiency and guide resource allocation; and
formulating long-term strategic and development plans for the legal department to ensure expertise and capacity align with future business objectives and strategic priorities.
Monitoring legal, regulatory and business developments to identify areas of legal and compliance risk, advise senior management, and formulate strategies to mitigate or manage the risks.
Serving as a member of the Executive Team and other leadership groups responsible for setting the organization’s strategic direction, defining corporate policies, and evaluating the business and social performance of the organization.
Advising the company on corporate structure and entity formation to facilitate operations and strategy, and negotiating, managing, and preparing documents for complex legal and business transactions.
Serving as corporate secretary and supporting the Board of Directors' corporate governance and oversight activities.
Overseeing incident management and the defense, prosecution, and resolution of domestic and international litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings, and other claims.
Overseeing selection, management, and evaluation of US and international outside counsel, including local counsel and legal specialists.
In collaboration with the CFO, overseeing management and administration of the company's corporate insurance program.
Overseeing maintenance of company trademarks, and management of intellectual property protection and licensing matters.
Overseeing the negotiation, execution, and administration of the company's customer and vendor contracts, and other matters as applicable.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
The Chief Legal Counsel reports directly to the CEO. The Chief Legal Counsel supervises the corporate legal team, including company lawyers and contract managers. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Job Requirements:
Education
Graduate from a top-tier Law School and excellent academic credentials
Experience
8+ years of law firm and/or in-house experience, summer experience included, including 5 years’ managerial experience
Skills/Competencies
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills
Strong interpersonal skills
Win/Win attitude
Strong legal and business judgment and strategic abilities
Superior organizational skills and attention to detail
Exceptional attention to detail
Superior problem-solving skills
Membership to the North Carolina bar in good standing, or Membership to another State Bar, with preference to register with the North Carolina bar at the earliest opportunity
Capabilities
Able to work under pressure and meet timelines
Ability to “roll up sleeves”
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office