Senior Corporate Counsel

Job Summary:

Senior Corporate Counsel will be a dynamic, strategic leader and trusted partner, providing legal advice and counsel to business unit stakeholders on a range of issues. This individual will report to the Chief Operating Officer.

Job Description:

Essential Job Functions

• Provide sound advice to leadership on legal issues related to Blue Diamond's business. While balancing legal risks against business interests, find creative and/or pragmatic solutions to problems that arise.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the company’s business, its people, products, markets, facilities, customers, and competitors. Identify trends and formulate strategies accordingly.
• Build strong working relationships with management at all levels to encourage and establish the proactive use of in-house legal counsel.
• Liaise with key internal and external legal, regulatory, finance, tax, treasury, and other business units as appropriate.
• Lead, coach and develop legal team members.
• Establish a solid partnership with Blue Diamond’s external legal partners. Manage the relationship, including fees and billing.
• Serve as Secretary of the board and assume responsibility for board meeting minutes.
• Lead litigation strategies and actions as claims arise, including investigation, discovery responses, and witness preparation. Partner with outside counsel to represent Blue Diamond’s interests.
• Draft, structure, negotiate, and advise on a variety of contracts, such as those with distributors, customers, growers, licensees, outsourcing companies, and insurance firms.
• Establish new legal entities for Blue Diamond around the world and properly maintain existing entities. Work with the tax and finance groups to determine appropriate corporate structures.
• Assist with negotiation and placement of the Company’s D&O insurance on an annual and as needed basis. Provide counsel regarding other insurance policy coverage issues. Work with insurers to manage litigation where Blue Diamond has coverage.
• Establish processes and protocols on all areas of corporate governance including compliance, code of conduct, whistleblower policy, record retention, and other matters.
• Develop, maintain, and administer legal systems and processes.
• Offer proactive counsel and training.
• This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Juris Doctor(ate) degree from an ABA Accredited law school.
• 10 years of legal experience, with a minimum of four years’ broad business experience in an internal legal capacity. Experience in litigation, antitrust, corporate governance and compliance, employment law, etc.
• Admitted to the California State Bar.
• A mixture of relevant experience in a top-tier law firm and a corporate legal department.
• Demonstrated success resolving complex legal matters.
• Proven aptitude to quickly grasp legal and business issues, to balance risks, to exercise sound judgment, and to provide practical and constructive legal advice in a time sensitive, dynamic, and fast paced business environment.
• Ability to lead discussions with customers, vendors, attorneys, management, employees, and other third parties about a diverse set of legal issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong interpersonal and negotiating proficiencies.
• Strong negotiation, drafting and communication skills with the ability to foster relationships, influence and collaborate with internal stakeholders.
• Proactive, strong attention to detail and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and juggle multiple tasks.
• Career track of progressive, documented accomplishments with a broad diversity of experiences.
• Intellectual Property background and regulatory experience.
• Some travel may be required.

Preferred Skills And Experiences

• Excellent planning and organization skills, including the ability to manage several projects concurrently and strong attention to detail.
• Experience implementing compliance programs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; positive and driven attitude.
• Able to work well under pressure and maintain all deadlines, and be able to adapt to multiple, conflicting and/or shifting deadlines.
• A proactive approach and the ability to work "hands-on," as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• 1-5

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Typical office environment with low levels of noise and fumes, adequate lighting, and comfortable temperature. Use of computer.

Blue Diamond Growers is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer

EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability

Education:

Bachelors (Required)

Other Job Details:

Work Shift:

Day

Pay Type:

Salary

Hourly Rate (if applicable):

N/A

Targeted Exempt Salary Range (if applicable):

$173,600.00 - $234,400.00

Grow your career. Partner with us. We Are the Almond People!

Blue Diamond Growers (BDG) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. BDG provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information. BDG also complies with all provisions of the U.S. Government's Executive Order 11246 dated September 24, 1965 and the rules, regulations and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.