Corporate Counsel

The Corporate Counsel will work closely with members of our Legal Team to draft and negotiate transaction documents for new acquisitions and joint ventures, help to manage the legal aspects of the company’s acquisition pipeline and provide general corporate legal support to the company and its stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be a well-trained and well-organized corporate attorney who is pragmatic and has the experience to make sound legal judgments from day one but is also eager to develop and broaden their skillset in an in-house environment at a well-funded and rapidly growing company.

• Draft, negotiate, review and revise all acquisition- and joint venture-related documents, including purchase agreements, employment agreements, and promissory notes
• Help manage the legal aspects of the deal process for a robust acquisition pipeline, including coordinating with outside counsel, opposing counsel and the company’s internal deal team to ensure that deal timelines are met and tasks are effectively completed
• Help manage the company’s DVM employment agreement review process, including ensuring that all provisions remain up to date with state law
• Assist with other corporate legal matters, including litigation, investigations, compliance, real estate, and employment, as needed
• Assists with other projects and matters as directed

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution

A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school; Bar admission in good standing in Illinois

• Minimum 2-3 years of relevant experience at a large or mid-size law firm with sophisticated corporate practice or similar experience in-house
• A business-minded professional, who is capable of balancing legal and compliance with business opportunities.
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills necessary to coordinate amongst deal counterparties, internal teams and business units, professional service providers and outside counsel
• Ability to prioritize and re-prioritize multiple projects and/or deadlines in a fast-paced work environment
• Enthusiasm and energy to contribute to and thrive in an energetic and rapidly evolving company with a collaborative atmosphere
• Self-starter with an appetite for problem-solving and ability to “own” projects or tasks to see goals through to completion
• High personal and professional integrity and the ability to establish personal credibility and trust across the organization

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 75% of the time
• Occasional movement inside the office to access office cabinets, supplies, and equipment
• Frequent communication and collaboration with employees in person and via email/phone
• Able to exchange clear, accurate information
• Occasionally moves equipment and supplies weighing up to fifteen pounds
• Frequent keyboarding/data entry

Blue River PetCare is a multi-state owner and operator of high-quality veterinary hospitals, with our corporate office located in downtown Chicago. We provide an exit strategy for owners of veterinary hospitals who are looking to reduce the headaches of business and diversify their asset base while continuing to practice or who are seeking to transition their practice as they consider retirement. We believe strongly in the local franchise and work with our hospitals to strengthen their existing hospital brands and carry on the legacies which have been established.

Diversity is embraced at Blue River PetCare and the uniqueness of all individuals is supported. All qualified applicants will be considered for all positions regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or ancestry.

Salary Range: $160,000-$165,000

Blue River PetCare team members are eligible to participate in the discretionary annual bonus program.

Blue River PetCare offers the following benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible & Health Spending Accounts
• Disability, Life Insurance, and Critical Illness Coverage
• Retirement plans with company match
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Holidays, and Bereavement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Volunteer Time-off
• Pet Perks with industry vendor partners, including deals on insurance, preventatives, food, and supplies
• Chicago CTA Transit Program Benefits
• Discounted gym memberships for local Chicago team members
• Childcare discounts with KinderCare
• Exclusive travel, entertainment, and retail discounts
• Hybrid and remote opportunities