Deputy General Counsel - Litigation

Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Smithfield (VA); On-site; USD 225,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Be Well program

Education assistance

Tuition assistance via Guild

Leadership development programs

LinkedIn Learning access

Smithfield Scholarship Program

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking a Deputy General Counsel-Litigation to provide strategic legal counsel to senior leadership and oversee complex matters impacting the company's operations and growth. You will support the Chief Legal Officer and mentor attorneys and staff to ensure an effective legal function.

You will advise on governance, regulatory compliance, contracts, and high-impact investigations while balancing opportunity with risk to enable responsible growth and integrity across the

Qualifications

• JD degree from an accredited law school.
• 15+ years of broad legal experience in a corporate legal department and/or top law firm.
• Bar admission to practice law in at least one U.S. state.
• Experience in litigation, regulatory compliance, and investigations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal counsel to senior leadership, overseeing complex matters.
• Lead and mentor the Legal Department, ensuring operational excellence.
• Oversee significant litigation and manage outside counsel and costs.
• Monitor regulatory developments and compliance risks for the company.
• Collaborate with business units to provide practical, business-focused legal advice.
• Contribute to policy development and risk management aligned with company values.

Skills

Leadership & Mentorship

Strategic Thinking

Communication & Influence

Judgment & Problem Solving

Collaboration & Partnership

Integrity & Accountability

Education

JD degree

Job description

Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact.

The Value You’ll Bring

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. As Deputy General Counsel-Litigation at Smithfield Foods, you will provide strategic legal counsel to senior leadership and oversee complex legal matters that impact the Company’s operations and growth. This role supports the Chief Legal Officer in managing the Legal Department and ensures legal strategies align with Smithfield’s business objectives, values, and risk profile. You’ll advise on corporate governance, litigation, regulatory compliance, contracts, and other high-impact matters, while also mentoring attorneys and legal staff. Acting as a trusted partner to the business, you help balance opportunity with risk, enabling Smithfield to operate with integrity, efficiency, and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Legal Counsel: Advise senior leadership on regulatory, litigation, and business matters, ensuring alignment with Smithfield’s objectives and risk profile.
• Department Leadership: Support the Chief Legal Officer in leading the Legal Department, including mentoring attorneys and staff, overseeing workflows, and ensuring operational excellence.
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Oversee significant litigation and dispute resolution matters, managing strategy, outside counsel, and costs.
• Regulatory & Compliance Oversight: Monitor and advise on regulatory developments, compliance risks, and emerging legal issues that affect the Company’s operations.
• Business Partnership: Collaborate with business units across supply chain, operations, HR, finance, and IT to deliver practical legal solutions that enable growth while protecting the Company.
• Policy & Risk Management: Contribute to policy development and risk management strategies that uphold Smithfield’s ethical standards and business practices.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Education & Experience: JD degree from an accredited law school and 15+ years of broad legal experience in a corporate legal department and/or top law firm, with proven leadership responsibilities.
• Bar Admission: Must be admitted to practice law in at least one U.S. state.
• Legal Expertise: Demonstrated depth in litigation, regulatory compliance, and investigations within a complex business environment.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Strong leader who can guide attorneys and staff, foster professional development, and create a high-performing legal team.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to anticipate risks, identify opportunities, and align legal strategy with long-term business goals.
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to convey complex legal concepts to executives, board members, and business leaders.
• Judgment & Problem Solving: Critical thinker with sound judgment and the ability to deliver creative, well-reasoned solutions under pressure.
• Collaboration & Partnership: Proven success working cross-functionally with diverse business units to provide practical, business-focused legal advice.
• Integrity & Accountability: High ethical standards, personal accountability, and a commitment to advancing Smithfield’s values and culture of integrity.

Compensation

The expected pay range for this position is $225,000 - $300,000 annually. Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations.

Benefits

• Relocation Package Available Yes
• Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.
• Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost.
• These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.
• Our company invests in your future.
• We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential.
• Through LinkedIn Learning, employees can access on‑demand courses, professional certificates, and skill‑based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs.
• Our partnership with Guild supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high‑potential talent.
• We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.

Company Overview

Headquartered inSmithfield, Virginia,since 1936,Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan's Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.