Corporate Counsel - Outside Sales and Svcs

The Home Depot; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

The Home Depot in Atlanta, GA seeks a high-caliber attorney to minimize legal exposure across claims, regulatory issues, and contract negotiations. You will advise management, oversee outside counsel, and educate internal teams on proactive risk reduction.

With 5+ years in a relevant practice area and a JD, you will independently conduct negotiations, assess risk, and guide business partners while supervising junior legal staff where applicable.

Qualifications

• Must hold a JD or equivalent and be licensed to practice law.
• Extensive experience in legal matters including negotiations and budgeting.
• Strong drafting, research, and counseling capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Represent the company in legal matters including claims, regulatory issues, and contracts.
• Advise managers and educate internal clients on reducing legal exposure.
• Manage outside counsel relationships and budgeting for legal matters.
• Lead negotiations independently with oversight from supervisors.
• Identify and assess risks; guide business partners with recommended actions.

Skills

Manages Ambiguity

Plans and Aligns

Communicates Effectively

Manages Conflict

Drafting and Negotiation Skills

Outside Counsel Management

Independent Prioritization

Conflict Resolution

Proactive Initiative

Procedures Development

Oral and Written Communication

Analytical Skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent

Job description

Position Purpose:

This position represents the Company in legal matters which may include legal claims, regulatory issues, and/or contract negotiations. The ultimate objective of this position is to minimize the legal exposure of the Company in any such legal matters. Advises and consults with managers and other departments on various legal issues, and educates internal clients on proactive measures and approaches to reducing all potential legal exposure.

Key Responsibilities:

• 5% Budget Management - Compiles, prepares, and presents budget recommendations for area of responsibility and manages budget for same.

• 40% Legal Matter Management - Handles legal matters within area of responsibility. Retains, monitors, and evaluates the performance of Outside Counsel relationships and budgeting within area. Supervises and conducts appropriate legal research for all pending legal work.

• 20% Negotiations - Independently conducts and directs negotiations for matters in a specific business area with general supervisory review.

• 30% Risk Assessment and Business Guidance - Accurately identifies and assesses risks and determines and effectuates appropriate course for specific business areas. Identifies, assesses, approves, and recommends changes to business partners.

• 5% Team Supervision - May supervise Legal Specialists and/or Legal Coordinators; including directing work, selection, termination, performance appraisal and coaching/professional development.

Direct Manager/Direct Reports:

• Typically reports to Associate General Counsel or Assistant General Counsel

• May be accountable for direct supervision of the work activities of others. Planning, monitoring and reviewing work of subordinates is required. This may include direct supervision of a shift or the coordination of multiple work groups. Makes recommendations concerning selection, termination, performance appraisal and professional development.

Travel Requirements:

• Typically requires overnight travel less than 5% of the time.

Physical Requirements:

• Most of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position and there is frequent opportunity to move about. On rare occasions, there may be a need to move or lift light articles.

Working Conditions:

• Located in a comfortable indoor area. Any unpleasant conditions would be infrequent and not objectionable.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be eighteen years of age or older.

• Must be legally permitted to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three (3) years of practice area experience.

Minimum Education:

• The completion of a Juris Doctor or equivalent and required certifications for practicing law.

Preferred Education:

• No additional education

Minimum Years of Work Experience:

• 5 years work experience

Preferred Years of Work Experience:

• 3 years of practice area expertise

Minimum Leadership Experience:

• No previous leadership experience

Preferred Leadership Experience:

• No previous leadership experience

Certifications:

• None

Competencies:

• Manages Ambiguity

• Plans and Aligns

• Communicates Effectively

• Manages Conflict

• Proven drafting and negotiation skills

• The ability to manage numerous outside counsel

• The ability to work independently on numerous activities and prioritize them properly while meeting deadlines.

• The ability to confront conflict and difficult issues in a professional, assertive and proactive manner.

• The self-starting ability to aggressively tackle new responsibilities and initiatives prior to receiving sufficient training or completely clear direction.

• The ability to develop, organize, implement and manage standard procedures and train outside counsel and paralegals in the procedures.

• High degree of oral and written communication skills.

• Analytical skills.