Corporate Attorney

Job Description:

Johnson Brothers is a national family-owned wine, spirits, and beer distributor.  We have been providing exceptional service to our customers since 1953, representing the world’s most famous brands in the beverage industry. We are seeking an experienced and skilled Associate General Counsel to join our legal team as a generalist. This individual will play a critical role in advising the organization regarding new and existing business initiatives; drafting, negotiating and managing a wide range commercial contracts; providing analysis and advice on regulatory and compliance matters; managing all aspects of the organization’s real estate holdings; creating, implementing, and managing legal operations matters; and supporting the General Counsel on high-impact special projects. This position offers an excellent opportunity for a senior legal professional with a broad skill set to contribute to the company’s strategic growth and success.

Position Overview

The Associate General Counsel will be a key member of the legal department, handling significant aspects of the organization's legal matters. This individual will manage and negotiate the majority of the organization’s commercial contracts, provide legal advice on regulatory and compliance matters, oversee regulatory responses, handle all real estate-related legal matters, and lead legal operations within the department. In addition, this individual will partner with the General Counsel on strategic initiatives and special projects, contributing to both day-to-day operations and long-term organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Commercial Contracts: Lead the negotiation, drafting, review, and management of a wide range of commercial contracts including distribution agreements, NDAs, vendor agreements, service contracts, licensing agreements, marketing and sponsorships agreements.
• Regulatory Compliance: Provide guidance and legal support on regulatory questions, ensuring the company’s operations comply with applicable laws and regulations. Manage responses to regulatory inquiries and investigations. Conduct regulatory investigations and audits with assistance from VP of Compliance at the direction of the General Counsel.
• Real Estate Matters: Oversee all legal aspects related to the organization’s real estate portfolio, including leases, acquisitions, dispositions, and construction-related agreements. Provide counsel on real estate transactions and disputes.
• Legal Operations: Manage legal department operations and optimize legal workflows and support the overall efficiency of the legal team.  Handle the following operational matters:
  • Contract Management System: Manage and optimize the organization’s contract management system, ensuring all contracts are tracked, stored, and accessible in compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
  • Subpoena Responses and Collections: Oversee the response to subpoenas, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and timelines. Manage collections processes, working closely with internal and external parties in the response.
  • Litigation Holds: Issue and manage litigation holds. Work with key stakeholders to ensure the preservation of relevant documents and evidence.
  • Transaction History Records: Create and maintain detailed records of the organization’s acquisitions and dispositions related to real estate and brands. Work with others to ensure that the records are properly cataloged and accessible.
• Special Projects: Assist the General Counsel in managing and executing special projects as needed, including mergers and acquisitions, litigation matters involving alcohol beverage issues, and other strategic initiatives.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with business leaders and other departments to identify legal risks, provide strategic legal counsel, and support organizational initiatives.
• Leadership: Mentor and manage junior members of the legal department, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.

The expected pay range for this role is $150,594.00 - $220,000. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role. Actual placement within range will be contingent upon several factors, including but not limited to the candidate's qualifications, education, experience, internal equity, union status (where applicable) and alignment with market data. Johnson Brothers offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, health savings and flexible spending accounts. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k) with an employer match, short term disability coverage, company-paid long term disability insurance, generous paid time off (PTO) plans and paid parental leave.

Johnson Brothers is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair treatment and hiring based on qualifications. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.

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