Corporate Counsel
About the Company
The Kendall Group is comprised of eight divisions with 75+ locations in ten states, serving the Electrical, Automation, Pipe, Valve, Fitting, Steam, Lighting, Industrial Controls, and Instrumentation industries. As a 100% employee-owned company, Kendall offers a rewarding career where you will own part of the company and your future. More than 60% of associates have over 5 years of tenure, and over 40% have more than 10 years, reflecting a supportive environment where ideas are heard, voices matter, and success is valued.
About the Role
The Corporate Counsel, reporting to the Executive Vice President & General Counsel, partners with the legal team and business leaders to support the company’s objectives and ensure smooth, efficient, and reliable legal, compliance, and risk management operations. This role emphasizes approachable, solution-focused, and pragmatic legal support that aligns with business goals. The Corporate Counsel collaborates across the organization to provide timely legal guidance on commercial transactions, operational matters, corporate policies, and other legal issues.
Responsibilities
- Partner closely with business leaders and cross-functional teams to support the company’s business objectives.
- Provide thoughtful legal guidance and practical business advice on a broad range of legal and compliance matters.
- Review, draft, negotiate, and interpret a variety of commercial agreements, including customer contracts, vendor agreements, confidentiality agreements, service agreements, and other business-related contracts.
- Support compliance efforts by assisting with the development, implementation, and monitoring of policies, procedures, and training initiatives.
- Identify legal risks and recommend practical solutions aligned with company objectives.
- Assist with legal support for business transactions, operational initiatives, and strategic projects.
- Conduct legal research and prepare summaries, recommendations, and guidance on applicable laws and regulations.
- Support dispute resolution efforts, including claims management, negotiations, mediation, litigation support, and coordination with outside counsel.
- Assist with corporate governance matters, document management, and maintenance of legal records.
- Monitor changes in laws and regulations that may impact the company and communicate relevant updates to leadership.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with departments including Human Resources, Finance, Operations, Sales, Safety, Information Technology, and Supply Chain.
- Support continuous improvement efforts related to legal operations, contract processes, compliance procedures, and risk management practices.
- Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive and confidential information.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Competencies
- Business Insight
- Decision Quality
- Manages Complexity
- Balances Stakeholders
- Interpersonal Savvy
- Communicates Effectively
- Collaborates
- Courage
- Drives Results
- Instills Trust
- Ensures Accountability
- Resourcefulness
- Action Oriented
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school, licensed and in good standing to practice law with at least one state bar.
- 3 years of law firm or in-house experience relevant to commercial transactions, corporate law, procurement, compliance, and/or real estate.
- Proven track record of confronting and successfully resolving complex legal and commercial matters with significant financial and business impact.
- Experience counseling business leaders on commercial matters, contract negotiations, procurement-related matters, real estate, and best practices for corporate policies and procedures.
- Demonstrated ability to recognize and weigh business and legal risks and advance innovative solutions.
- Strong understanding of contract law, corporate legal principles, and regulatory compliance.
- Ability to analyze legal issues, assess risk, and provide practical business-oriented recommendations.
- Experience working with MS Office, with a heavy emphasis on Microsoft Word.
- Strong ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively, work diplomatically, and foster relationships at all levels.
- Highly developed written and oral communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex legal concepts.
- Excellent negotiation, interpersonal communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Willingness to travel, including occasional overnight travel.
Preferred Qualifications
- 5 years of law firm or in-house experience relevant to commercial transactions, corporate law, procurement, compliance, and/or real estate.
Work Environment
The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
- Ability to see, talk, and hear.
- Ability to sit for 8 hours a day.
- Normal office environment.