General Counsel

About the role

As the General Counsel you will translate the company’s vision into actionable legal strategies that support and protect the interests of the holding company and its portfolio businesses. This is a hands-on role requiring exceptional critical thinking about legal and operational challenges, coupled with the ability to exercise sound judgment in complex situations. The General Counsel is expected to translate legal strategies and advice into timely execution, measuring success by the business outcomes achieved, risks appropriately managed, and value created—not simply by the legal work performed.

We are seeking a business-minded General Counsel with a proven track record across multiple areas of law, including corporate governance, securities, investments, manufacturing law, distribution agreements, and labor law, while providing legal guidance and risk mitigation strategies to support the holding company’s operations and growth. This position needs to ensure each portfolio company adheres to legal requirements and operates smoothly within their respective industries. Success in this role also requires building trusted, respectful relationships while partnering effectively across all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide counsel to the senior management on legal matters.
• Develop and implement legal policies and procedures to mitigate risks.
• Ensure adherence to financial regulations and compliance with securities laws.
• Structure investment funds in compliance with legal and tax requirements.
• Ensure compliance with transportation regulations (e.g. vehicle safety standards, environmental regulations, emissions controls, etc.).
• Ensure compliance with the Federal Trade Commission and Franchise Rule.
• Provide legal counsel on corporate governance, strategic decision-making, and risk management across the portfolio.
• Oversee corporate governance practices and ensure adherence to best practices.
• Prepare and review corporate documents.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts and agreements, including partnership agreements, vendor contracts, supplier contracts, and service agreements.
• Coordinate with external legal counsel as necessary and represent the company in legal proceedings.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks across all companies in the portfolio, including commercial disputes, regulatory violations, investment decisions, and contract breaches.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and implement measures to safeguard the company’s interests.
• Provide legal support on employment law matters, including employee relations, labor disputes, and compliance with employment regulations.
• Draft and review employment contracts, non-disclosure agreements, and non-compete clauses.
• Lead the identification, evaluation, implementation, and governance of AI-enabled legal tools and technologies within the legal function to improve productivity, contract management, legal research, compliance monitoring, knowledge management, and risk assessment while ensuring appropriate controls, ethical use, data privacy, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Minimum of 20 years of legal experience, with significant experience in a corporate legal department or law firm.
• Proven track record as a General Counsel or senior legal executive, preferably within a private holding company or similar environment.
• Extensive knowledge of corporate, commercial, and regulatory law.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• High ethical standards and professional integrity.
• Demonstrated expertise and hands-on experience leveraging AI tools, legal technology, and workflow automation to improve legal operations, decision-making, compliance, risk management, and overall legal department effectiveness.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.

Location

This General Counsel role will be based in Miami, FL or Birmingham, AL.

About the company

GVW Group is a dynamic private investment and industrial holding company dedicated since 1993 to growing and starting businesses. We take an entrepreneurial approach to building value for our scalable early-stage, high-growth, and mid-sized operating companies by providing strategic expertise and resources. Along the way, we have expanded globally into diverse industries ranging from manufacturing to technology, distribution, big data, engineering, and energy efficiency.

Benefits

• Attractive compensation and benefits package, including base salary and incentive bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life and AD&D insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) with a company match.
• Paid time off (PTO) and company holidays.