Commercial Counsel

International Paper; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

International Paper in Memphis, TN seeks a Commercial Counsel to provide timely legal services to PSNA and procurement teams, supporting contracting, compliance and business strategy.

The role involves advising on customer/supplier contracts, risk management, regulatory updates, and leading and training staff. Candidates should have a JD and 10+ years of experience in commercial law, with strong negotiation skills and the ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• JD or equivalent required; bar admission in a U.S. jurisdiction preferred (Tennessee preferred).
• Minimum 10 years of legal experience; focus on commercial transactions and counsel.
• Excellent negotiation and contract drafting/negotiation capabilities.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks relevant to commercial contracts.
• Ability to align legal advice with business objectives.
• Strong communication, leadership, and team collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely, cost-effective, expert legal services to business management, PSNA facilities, and procurement.
• Offer timely, accurate legal counsel to business teams, procurement, and operations.
• Deliver strategic and tactical guidance with enterprise-wide perspective; support day-to-day questions.
• Prepare, review, and negotiate customer and supplier contracts to support sales and procurement.
• Initiate and oversee research on business-related legal matters affecting performance.
• Foster collaboration between counsel and business teams; support cross-functional problem-solving.
• Lead, develop, and manage direct reports; provide training on legal topics relevant to commercial operations.
• Collaborate with sales, operations, real estate, and executives to advance business goals while managing risk.

Skills

Commercial Law

Negotiation

Regulatory Knowledge

Business Acumen

Communication

Project Management

Team Leadership

Cross-functional Collaboration

Legal Research

Risk Management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission in the U.S. jurisdiction (Tennessee preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Legal research tools

Document management systems

Job description

Position Title

Commercial Counsel

Pay Rate

$ 180,000 - $205,000

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

Category/Shift

Salaried Full-Time

Physical Location:

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN

The Job You Will Perform

• Responsible for supporting the business and compliance goals of the corporation by providing timely, cost-effective, expert legal services to business management, the converting facilities, and the global sourcing and procurement organization of Packaging Solutions North America (“PSNA”), working under the functional guidance of the PSNA Legal, Director, Converting & Procurement and as a functional partner with specialty lawyers.
• Legal support: Provides timely, accurate and expert legal counsel to business management, commercial organization, procurement and operations and other specialized counsel, while fostering a customer-centric client network throughout the organization and within the PSNA Legal Department
• Guidance: Delivers strategic and tactical guidance with an enterprise-wide perspective. Serves as a resource for day-to-day legal questions from business teams, including regulatory compliance, risk management, and dispute resolution. Deliver clear, practical advice to enable informed decision-making
• Buy/Sell Agreements: Prepare, review, and negotiate customer and supplier contracts to support packaging sales and procurement. Ensure contracts protect the company’s interests and comply with applicable laws and industry standards.
• Research: Initiates and oversees research on business-related legal matters that may influence corporate or operational financial performance
• Collaboration: Facilitates communication between specialist counsel and business management, promoting a collaborative working environment that encourages and supports cross‑functional communication, innovative approaches to legal matters and collaborative problem‑solving
• Leadership and Development: Manages, leads, and develops direct reports
• Training & Education: Develop and deliver training to staff on legal topics relevant to commercial operations, including contract management, antitrust compliance, and regulatory updates.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with sales, operations, procurement, real estate, and executive teams to advance business goals while managing legal risk.

Key Challenges

• Ability to navigate the organization to know how to get things done
• Understanding business strategy
• Knowledge of legal and business commercial transaction issues that typically arise between buyers and sellers
• Ability to use technology and develop and/or improve work‑flow systems to eliminate redundant, non-value added work and focus attorney time on critical issues

The Skills You Will Bring

• Juris Doctor (JD) or Equivalent Law Degree
• Minimum 10 years of legal experience required
• Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction is required; Tennessee is preferred.
• Commercial Law Expertise:
  • Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. commercial law, including contract drafting, review, and negotiation. Procurement and supplier transaction experience a plus.
• Relevant Legal Experience:
  • Minimum of 7 years of experience as a practicing attorney, with a focus on commercial transactions and counsel, either in a law firm or as an in‑house practitioner.
  • Proven ability to identify, assess, and mitigate legal and business risks in commercial agreements
• Negotiation Skills:
  • Strong negotiation skills with experience working directly with clients, vendors, and business partners to resolve complex legal and business issues.
• Regulatory and Compliance Knowledge:
  • Familiarity with regulatory frameworks relevant to commercial contracts (e.g., data privacy, anti-bribery, export controls) is preferred.
• Business Acumen:
  • Ability to understand and align legal advice with business objectives and operational needs.
• Communication Skills:
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills required
  • Presentation skills
• Project and Time Management:
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Technology Proficiency:
  • Experience with legal research tools, document management systems, and standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite).
• Team Collaboration and Leadership:
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams.
  • Experience directing and managing direct reports
  • Project and/or process management experience
  • High-level judgment and decision‑making skills required

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment

About Us

The Benefits You Will Enjoy:

International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company‑funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets

The Career You Will Build

Leadership training, promotional opportunities

The Impact You Will Make

We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP.

The Culture You Will Experience

International Paper promotes employee well‑being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join

International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) creates sustainable packaging solutions that enable our customers, teammates and shareowners to thrive in an ever‑changing world. We are a leader in corrugated packaging, partnering with customers across industries to protect what matters most, strengthen supply chains and create lasting value. Learn more at internationalpaper.com.

International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail] or [phone].