Director, Legal

About the role

The Director, Legal will serve as the sole in-house legal advisor for Laticrete International and its affiliates, reporting directly to the CFO. This position will oversee the company’s legal affairs, manage external counsel, and provide strategic legal guidance on corporate, regulatory, and operational matters. Additionally, this position will work closely with senior leadership to support the company's growth while managing risk and ensuring legal compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee corporate governance, including board meetings, shareholder communications.
• Manage legal matters associated with mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, partnerships, and other strategic business transactions.
• Advise on corporate structure and reorganizations as needed.
• In collaboration with the Enterprise risk and Audit director, ensure the company’s adherence to relevant local, state, and federal laws, as well as industry regulations.
• Maintain compliance with laws and regulations that could impact the company and ensure compliance across all business units.
• Identify and mitigate potential legal risks affecting the business.
• Manage all litigation, claims, investigations, and dispute resolution matters worldwide.
• Select, retain, and manage external counsel, controlling legal spend and ensuring high-quality, cost-effective representation.
• Develop litigation strategy, settlement approaches, and risk assessments in coordination with senior leadership.
• Oversee insurance programs, claims management, and coverage matters in partnership with Finance and Risk.
• Draft and review contracts and licenses with customers, suppliers, and business partners.
• Advise HR and management on employment law matters, including employee relations, discipline, terminations, compensation, and benefits.
• Support compliance with wage and hour laws, discrimination and harassment laws, immigration and workplace safety regulations.
• Oversee protection, development, and enforcement of the company’s intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
• Support R&D, innovation, and product development initiatives with IP strategy and risk management.
• Advises on technology agreements, data privacy, cybersecurity, AI usage, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Collaborate with external counsel and international teams on global IP strategy.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Bar membership in good standing.
• 10+ years of corporate legal experience, preferable with at least two years at a law firm and the majority as in-house experience.
• Experience in global manufacturing company selling through distribution is preferred.
• Experience in chemical industry and/or building products is a plus.
• International experience is also a plus, as well as previous experiences in acquiring and divesting companies.
• Broad experience across corporate, commercial, regulatory, manufacturing, employment, IP, litigation and compliance law.
• Strong understanding of product liability, regulatory compliance, EHS and manufacturing risk profiles.
• Strong knowledge of corporate law, regulatory compliance.
• Experience working with employment law and partnering with Human Resources.
• Experience managing mergers and acquisitions highly preferred.
• Experience drafting and reviewing major and critical contracts including customer agreements, vendor contracts, partnership agreements, licensing agreements and employment contracts.
• Proven ability to provide practical, business-focused legal advice to senior and mid-level management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage external legal counsel and legal budgets effectively.
• Exceptional judgment, discretion and ethical standards.
• Ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical guidance for business leaders.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence, advise and partner at the senior leadership and Board level.
• Experienced in defining and defending intellectual property.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.