Corporate Counsel, Yogurt Divisions

Lactalis Heritage Dairy

Chicago (IL)

On-site

USD 130,000 - 145,000

Full time

14 days+

Application generator

Stand out for this role — generate a tailored resume and cover letter in about a minute.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Total Rewards Program

Insurance support

Retirement plan contributions

Paid Time Off

Job summary

A leading dairy company in Chicago seeks a Corporate Counsel for its Yogurt Division. This role involves advising on commercial agreements, regulatory compliance, and litigation strategy. Ideal candidates will have a Juris Doctorate and 5-7 years of relevant legal experience in food law, alongside skills in strategic thinking and communication. The position offers competitive compensation within a supportive work environment focused on professional growth.

Qualifications

5 to 7 years of experience with a national law firm or in-house legal department.
Knowledge of food and/or consumer products industries.
Active member in good standing in at least one jurisdiction.

Responsibilities

Review and negotiate commercial agreements.
Advise on advertising and marketing copy for regulatory compliance.
Support litigation strategies and internal stakeholder guidance.

Skills

Initiative

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school

Job description

Join to apply for the Corporate Counsel, Yogurt Divisions role at Lactalis Heritage Dairy

2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Lactalis Heritage Dairy provided pay range

This range is provided by Lactalis Heritage Dairy. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$130,000.00/yr - $145,000.00/yr

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

The Corporate Counsel, Yogurt Division (“Corporate Counsel”), assists the General Counsel, and Associate General Counsels of the Yogurt Division (the “Division”). The position advises internal stakeholders, collaborates with legal department attorneys and regulatory team members, and works with outside counsel. The successful candidate must demonstrate initiative and independent judgment to manage a diverse range of responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Review, draft, and negotiate the Division commercial agreements (including equipment purchase and leases; sales, purchase, supply, distribution, and broker agreements; services agreements; marketing, influencer, and co-branding agreements; capex and construction agreements; co-manufacturing agreements; transportation agreements; and intercompany agreements).
Work with procurement and other stakeholders to resolve contract-based disputes with business partners.
Update and maintain contracts management database – Galexy.
Coordinate and distribute relevant contract information to appropriate internal stakeholders, as needed.
Provide internal contracts report for interim and end-of-year audit, as needed.
Support legal training sessions for internal stakeholders (e.g., on basic contract formation, negotiation, key terms).

From your FOOD LAW AND ADVERTISING LAW FOR YOGURT DIVISION

Review advertising/marketing/packaging copy to advise brand teams on regulatory and litigation risk.
Advise on promotions (e.g., sweepstakes, contests, coupon giveaways, and commercial co-ventures), including drafting of official rules, reviewing advertising and label copy, and managing any required state registrations.

From your LITIGATION STRATEGY AND MANAGEMENT FOR YOGURT DIVISION

Support litigation matters, as directed, including working with outside litigation counsel and senior management to create and implement strategies to achieve cost-effective results.
Negotiate resolutions of disputes when appropriate and/or recommend settlements to appropriate business leadership.
Support in an advisory capacity internal stakeholders regarding strategy, applicable laws, and developments in key litigation risks.

From your INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MATTERS FOR YOGURT DIVISION

Advise the Yogurt Division on trademark use and protection strategy and coordinate with outside counsel on trademark issues, filings, and portfolios.
Conduct preliminary trademark clearance for product/packaging innovation and renovation projects.
Support intellectual property training sessions for internal stakeholders.

From your OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

Work on other projects and perform duties, including administrative duties, as may be assigned from time to time.

From your STORY to ours

Education:

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school. Currently admitted to the bar as an active member in good standing in at least one jurisdiction within the United States.

Experience:

5 to 7 years with a national law firm and/or in-house legal department.
Knowledge of food and/or consumer products industries.
Knowledge of FDA labeling requirements surrounding food products.
Knowledge of FTC advertising, promotion, and claims laws, regulations, and guides.

Skills/Abilities:

Shows initiative and the ability to work independently and exercise good judgment in a complex business environment.
Takes active ownership of areas of responsibility. A self‑motivated, strong teammate with the ability to identify and get ahead of problems.
Demonstrates strategic ability.
Anticipates legal issues and estimates legal risks.
Develops creative, proactive, and practical solutions to mitigate legal risks in support of the business.
Models high ethics and integrity.
Possesses an eagerness and ability to understand the business.
Possesses excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication (verbal and written), relationship management, and internal client service skills.
Acute attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects at a given time.
Operates well in multi-functional teams and a fast‑paced environment.
Is committed to continuous improvement, company mission and values, training, and continued education on changing laws and regulations.
Creates processes and procedures that effectively mitigate legal and regulatory risk.
Is a quick and flexible learner, intellectually curious, open‑minded, adaptable, comfortable with ambiguity and risk, and excited by dynamic change.
Makes sound, complex cost/benefit assessments.
Inspires trust, effectively forges relationships, builds consensus, and earns the confidence and cooperation of divisional business partners.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally‑recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an affirmative action employer will comply with all related legal obligations.

Seniority level