Senior Legal Counsel, North America

Key Responsibilities

• Manage corporate governance matters for the U.S. and Mexico entities, including board meetings, resolutions, and statutory filings.
• Ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations related to corporate structure and governance.
• Maintain corporate records and liaise with external corporate agents as required.
• Provide legal advice on commercial contracts, corporate law, and regulatory matters relevant to the agricultural commodities industry.
• Support business teams on structuring and negotiating agreements, including supply, distribution, and joint ventures.
• Advise on cross-border transactions, working closely with global legal colleagues.
• Monitor and advise on legal risks associated with business operations in the U.S. and Mexico.
• Support compliance with applicable laws, including trade, anti-bribery, sanctions, and data protection.
• Assist in implementing and maintaining internal policies and procedures to mitigate legal risk.
• Work closely with global legal teams to align on international corporate governance and reporting requirements.
• Engage with external counsel for specialist advice, managing costs and ensuring high-quality output.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and business stakeholders within the U.S. and Mexico entity.

Qualifications & Experience

• J.D. degree from a recognized U.S. law school and admission to practice law in Illinois (or ability to qualify as in-house counsel).
• Minimum 7 years’ post-qualification experience, with a blend of law firm and in-house experience preferred.
• Strong expertise in corporate law, governance, and secretarial matters; additional experience in commercial contracts is a plus.
• Experience in the agricultural, commodity trading, food, or energy industries highly desirable.
• Solid understanding of U.S. corporate regulatory frameworks, with exposure to cross-border transactions.
• Excellent communication, drafting, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and provide pragmatic legal solutions in a fast-paced, international environment.