Senior Counsel

Whisker is the maker of Litter-Robot, Feeder-Robot, and Litterbox.com. At Whisker, we believe pet parenthood can always get better.

As leading innovators in pet tech and refined pet accessories, we work tirelessly to solve problems and deliver smarter insights for pet parents while enriching the lives of pets. Whether it’s a self-cleaning litter box that automates scooping, an automatic feeder that helps pets develop healthier eating habits, or a modern cat tree that delights both humans and felines, we strive to deliver better solutions for consumers while transforming pet care along the way. To us, having a pet is the best thing ever. At Whisker, life together just keeps getting better.

Whisker is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Juneau, Wisconsin with 600+ passionate team members.

What You’ll Do:

Whisker is seeking its first in-house legal team member with the hire of Senior In-House Counsel. Whisker’s Senior In-House Counsel will be a hands-on legal professional with broad experience in multiple areas of law and a vision to build out Whisker’s in-house legal capabilities with outside counsel and an in-house team (to be built over time). Senior In-House Counsel will oversee and manage all legal activities alongside outside counsel across corporate law, IP law, contracts, HR Law, International, and more. Senior In-House Counsel will partner with our leaders across disciplines and will have ultimate responsibility for all legal related matters at Whisker. Senior In-House Counsel will join the Whisker Management Team and report to the CFO. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary. Senior In-House Counsel will join our 30-person Management Team who are all passionately excited about shaping the future of pet care You will lead the following responsibilities:

• Organizational Management: You organize and manage all Whisker legal matters, prioritize the use of internal vs external resources, and keep the Executive Leadership Team apprised of all legal matters. 
• Commercial Law: You will lead and oversee all commercial legal work relating to technology infrastructure and applications; digital and e-commerce platforms, tools and technologies; innovation/development of products; and all contractual matters for Whisker.  You will provide legal advice and counsel to Whisker’s internal teams, including structuring, drafting, reviewing, analyzing, negotiating and interpreting a wide range of contracts and related documentation; identifying and addressing legal and commercial issues; and supporting on overall strategy and project execution.  Whisker’s Management Team has become savvy in matters of the law and will be your team member(s) in this area.
• Intellectual Property (patent law, copyright & trademark): Collaborate with external counsel to support the Whisker’s IP portfolio. Prosecute, defend, and litigate patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Oversee and manage the internal IP docket - ensuring alignment with the Whisker’s strategic goals. Provide guidance on IP matters as they arise and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the company’s IP needs and assets. While not required to be an IP specialist, the Senior In-House Counsel will ensure robust protection and management of the company’s intellectual property in partnership with expert resources.
• HR Law: You will partner with all of our people leaders and HR Team to support ongoing HR legal needs while serving as the point person for outside HR counsel.
• Marketing: You will partner closely with our marketing team to ensure that all new major campaigns, statements, and creative direction align with legal requirements. You will partner with our marketers to ensure that we’re always compliant, especially as we expand globally. From opt-in SMS and email marketing law, to copyright across our website(s), app insights, worldwide privacy laws; and beyond: You will be responsible for supporting each marketing leader to enable their work. Much of this with outside counsel. 
• Privacy Law: You will oversee and manage the company’s compliance with data privacy laws and regulations, including but not limited to GDPR, CCPA, and other international and domestic privacy standards. Provide expert guidance to marketing, technology, and other key departments on regulatory requirements, risk assessments, and necessary adaptations to company practices. Ensure that data handling, processing, and retention policies align with evolving legal standards. Proactively monitor changes in privacy law, assess potential legal exposures, and implement policies and procedures that safeguard the organization against privacy-related risks.
• Global Law: Whisker is expanding globally and you will partner with global outside counsel to support new markets. 
• Retail: Whisker is expanding to more than 2,000 in-store locations by February 2025, and Senior In-House Counsel will work to support this major push and our ongoing retail partnerships and agreements. 
• Internet Law: Senior In-House Counsel will partner with our internal teams to ensure we’re always compliant with internet laws, protecting our copyright and trademarks and designs across the web, updating terms and conditions proactively, and much more.
• Corporate Law: Senior In-House Counsel will be responsible for a broad range of legal needs for Whisker’s business. From annual company filings, shareholder agreements, board responsibilities, to general legal inquiries and many other various legal needs that will arise along the way: Senior In-House Counsel will have meaningful responsibility in this role across a range of business needs. Senior In-House Counsel will attend key meetings where applicable to represent the company.
• Technology: Senior In-House Counsel will be the thought-leader and driver of new technologies to help drive efficiencies and automation in our legal processes (i.e, contract management)
• Litigation: Senior In-House Counsel will oversee any active litigation with outside counsel. 
• Will perform additional responsibilities when required 

Leadership Responsibilities: 

You will join as a Senior Individual Contributor with the goal of building out a team over time. Senior In-House Counsel will carry out supervisory responsibilities following Whisker policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, training, and hiring, planning, assigning and directing work, appraising performance, addressing team issues, and upholding safety and quality guidelines. 

What You’ll Bring:

• A Juris Doctorate degree
• Minimum 8-10+ years of experience within a law firm or corporate legal department, with broad exposure to the areas of law above
• Seasoned communication skills—able to influence at a variety of levels and across functions in a complex matrix organization
• Demonstrated experience with general corporate law, commercial contracts, and intellectual property (patent, trademark, copyright) matters.
• Experience advising on data privacy regulations, such as GDPR, CCPA, and other international and domestic privacy laws.
• Ability and experience in all aspects of IP due diligence, including analyzing IP portfolios, negotiating license and/or settlement agreements and various forms of technology collaboration agreements
• Must have business deal-making and negotiation acumen
• Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information
• Ability to maintain a professional atmosphere in a fast-paced environment with numerous interactions and interruptions
• A high degree of initiative, self-motivation, and ability to motivate others
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Team Members and colleagues
• Comfortable with office pets (cats, dogs) 

Not Required but Nice to Have!

• Extensive experience with litigation

Benefits & Perks: 

Join a tenacious, inventive company that empowers team members to chart their own path, lead by grounding decisions in the “why”, and has a strong sense of empathy and openness to new perspectives. Be a part of exciting growth, work with incredible people, and create tomorrow’s pet products—plus a whole lot of extras. You will also be provided with:

• Premium Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Whisker Parents Program
• 1 day "pawternity" leave for new pet adoption
• Pet Insurance Discount
• 401K match
• Flexible spending accounts
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous paid time off
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Top of the line equipment
• Pet-friendly office
• Whisker products and swag
• Continuing education Support
• On-site gym with Peloton
• Referral program

Statement of Inclusivity:

We believe different perspectives make Whisker better and strive to create a place where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.

Please ensure to regularly check your email spam folder for any communication from Whisker to avoid missing important updates regarding your application status.

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