Senior Vice President of Legal & Deputy General Counsel

About the Role

The Senior Vice President & Deputy General Counsel (SVP & DGC) will be responsible for leading the company's legal strategy and management in alignment with business objectives. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the SVP & DGC will drive legal excellence, risk management, corporate governance, and compliance across the enterprise. This role requires a leader who can balance pragmatic, business-first counsel with the rigor, governance, and transparency required of a sophisticated, high-growth organization.

This role reports to the current GC/CLO with the intention of becoming the GC/CLO for the company after an interim period and demonstrated success in the company. Must be located in Los Angeles.

Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Partner with the CEO, CFO and Board of Directors on governance matters, risk oversight, and strategic initiatives
• Develop and execute a comprehensive legal strategy aligned with long-term business goals and investor expectations
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on corporate structure, M&A, commercial transactions, and enterprise risk
• Build and lead a high-performing legal function that operates as a true business partner across the organization

Corporate Governance & Compliance

• Design and maintain a robust corporate governance framework, including Board and committee charters, policies, and reporting cadences
• Oversee compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulatory requirements
• Partner with Finance and the Board on governance disclosures, reporting obligations, and fiduciary responsibilities
• Implement and manage internal controls related to legal and compliance processes in alignment with best-in-class governance standards
• Advise on equity plan administration, capitalization table matters, and investor-related agreements

Commercial & Transactional Legal

• Lead all M&A activity, including due diligence, structuring, negotiation, and integration
• Oversee commercial contracting across procurement, sales, licensing, co-manufacturing, and distribution
• Manage and optimize the company's use of outside counsel to ensure cost-effective, high-quality legal support
• Provide legal support for financing transactions, including debt, equity, and strategic partnerships

Regulatory, IP & Litigation

• Oversee the company's intellectual property portfolio, including trademarks, trade secrets, and licensing agreements
• Manage all litigation, regulatory proceedings, and dispute resolution strategy
• Ensure compliance with food safety, labeling, and pet product regulatory requirements (FDA, AAFCO, FTC, etc.)
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting the business and proactively advise leadership

Risk Management & Ethics

• Develop and lead an enterprise-wide risk management framework
• Own the company's Code of Conduct, ethics hotline, and compliance training programs
• Partner with HR and Finance on employment matters, executive compensation, and benefits-related legal issues
• Lead data privacy and cybersecurity legal strategy, including compliance with CCPA and applicable data protection laws

Qualifications

• 15+ years of legal experience, with 5+ in-house at a corporate legal function in a public company
• Proven public company track record in corporate governance, M&A, SEC, and commercial legal areas, including advertising, regulatory (FDA/FTC), ERISA/benefits, and intellectual property
• Corporate legal experience with organizations having complex corporate/ownership structures
• Deep expertise in SEC law, corporate governance, commercial transactions, and Board/C-suite engagement is particularly critical for this role
• Demonstrated success in building, managing, and scaling legal operations in a high-growth company
• Exceptional executive presence, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Prior experience as General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel in a public company

Required Education & Licensure

• U.S. law degree (JD)
• Admitted to the California Bar

Preferred Qualifications

• Top U.S. law school
• Deep experience in SEC law and associated public company governance including managing and planning public Board meetings and associated governance with management

Compensation & Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage – 100% of premiums for medical, dental, and vision plans for employee-only plans
• Annual bonus
• 401k match up to 3.5% of contributions
• 6 paid sick and mental health days, Employee Assistance Program, free weekly yoga and meditation classes, and additional mental health benefits
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan with company contributions
• Reimbursement for a portion of personal cell phone and internet usage for eligible employees
• Professional development opportunities with mentorship, continuous learning programs, and performance-based pay increases
• Charity sponsorship opportunities – over $9 million donated to date
• Potential for quarterly KPI bonuses
• Base salary range: $320,000–$400,000, plus bonus potential