Senior Counsel

About the role

Serve as initial US legal commercial counsel for assigned industrial business units at Sherwin-Williams Global Headquarters located in Cleveland, OH. This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus under the Company’s applicable plans.

Responsibilities

• Develop a deep understanding of business strategy, commercial objectives, products, customers, and operating risks for assigned industrial business units.
• Provide proactive, practical, and business-focused legal advice to business leaders and participate in business planning initiatives and strategic projects.
• Identify legal risks and develop solutions that enable business growth while protecting company interests.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including developing contracting strategies that balance business objectives and legal risk.
• Advise management regarding contractual disputes and pre-litigation claims.
• Drive continuous improvement of contracting processes, playbooks, templates, legal technologies, and other legal operations initiatives to enhance efficiency.
• Identify emerging legal, regulatory, and operational risks affecting supported businesses and provide guidance on antitrust laws.
• Assist with the development and implementation of antitrust compliance programs and training initiatives.
• Conduct legal research and develop practical solutions to manage legal and business issues.
• Support Corporate Strategy and Development on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions, including drafting and negotiating transaction documents.
• Manage and coordinate legal due diligence activities and support transaction structuring, signing, closing, integration planning, and post-closing matters.
• Assist with merger control and antitrust regulatory review processes, including Hart-Scott-Rodino filings and responses to regulatory authorities.
• Manage external legal transaction counsel as applicable.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership teams, providing timely legal guidance on corporate planning, strategic initiatives, and operational decisions.
• Communicate complex legal concepts in a practical and understandable manner and collaborate with cross-functional teams to support business objectives.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of supported businesses’ markets, competitive dynamics, products, sales channels, customers, and strategic objectives.
• Manage outside counsel in an effective and cost-conscious manner.
• Lead or support legal department operational excellence projects and mentor junior attorneys, law clerks, paralegals, and legal staff.
• Promote a culture of integrity, compliance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Stay abreast of relevant legal developments and drive continuous improvement in contract lifecycle management, legal technology utilization, and automation.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one US jurisdiction.
• 7+ years of legal experience.
• Significant experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts.
• Strong work ethic, ability to act independently, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to provide practical, business-focused legal advice.
• Strong communication and writing skills, particularly in formal document drafting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and legal software.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
• Must be at least 18 years of age and have the legal right to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting industrial or manufacturing businesses.
• Experience with domestic and international M&A transactions.
• Experience advising on antitrust and competition law matters, including merger review, distribution practices, pricing issues, joint ventures, and compliance programs.
• Prior in-house experience.
• 10+ years of legal experience.

Schedule

Travel requirement: 5-10% time spent away from home or typical office location.

Benefits

Sherwin-Williams offers a wide range of world-class benefits, including:

• Retirement and financial planning support.
• Comprehensive health care benefits.
• Total well-being programs (physical, emotional, financial, and social).li>
• Commuter benefits.
• Opportunities for learning, skill development, and career growth.
• Inclusive team environment and commitment to community.

For more details, visit http://www.myswbenefits.com/ (select "Candidates").