General Counsel

Addison Group; Carol Stream (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Comprehensive benefits

Career growth

Direct access to hiring managers

Flexible opportunities

Professional support

Job summary

Addison Group is seeking a seasoned in-house counsel to partner with executive leadership on strategic, regulatory, and risk management matters. You will advise on corporate governance, acquisitions, major contracts, and cross-functional initiatives across the enterprise.

The ideal candidate holds a Juris Doctor with an active license, 10+ years of corporate and litigation experience, and prior GC or senior in-house leadership preferred.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school with active bar license.
• 10+ years of progressive legal experience in corporate and litigation.
• Prior experience as General Counsel or senior in-house counsel preferred.
• Strong litigation management and risk assessment abilities.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, distribution, or complex operations preferred.
• Ability to operate independently with sound legal judgment.
• Expertise in governance, contracts, employment law, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
• Established network of external legal resources and subject matter experts.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Executive presence to influence senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the organization's primary legal advisor on legal, regulatory, and business matters.
• Assess legal risk and advise executive leadership on potential implications.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Manage and oversee all litigation matters, including disputes and settlements.
• Partner with outside counsel and leverage specialized expertise as needed.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements and legal documents.
• Advise leadership on employment law, governance, risk management, and compliance.
• Develop and maintain policies and legal frameworks to protect the organization.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and mitigate risk.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on strategic initiatives and growth.

Skills

Litigation management

Corporate governance

Contracts

Employment law

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Executive presence

Communication

Negotiation

Relationship building

Strategic advisory

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Active bar license

Job description

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and active license to practice law.
• 10+ years of progressive legal experience, including significant corporate and litigation experience.
• Prior experience serving as General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, or senior in-house legal counsel preferred.
• Strong litigation management experience with the ability to assess risk and determine appropriate legal strategies.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, distribution, transportation, or other operationally complex organizations preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently and provide sound legal judgment with minimal oversight.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance, contracts, employment law, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
• Established network of external legal resources and subject matter experts.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship‐building skills.
• Executive presence with the ability to influence and advise senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the organization's primary legal advisor, providing practical guidance on legal, regulatory, and business matters.
• Assess legal risk and advise executive leadership on potential implications, allowing business leaders to make informed decisions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Manage and oversee all litigation matters, including evaluating when disputes should be litigated versus resolved through negotiation or settlement.
• Partner with and manage outside counsel, leveraging specialized expertise as needed.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, contracts, and legal documents.
• Advise leadership on employment law, corporate governance, risk management, compliance, and operational matters.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and legal frameworks that protect the organization while supporting business objectives.
• Monitor changes in legislation and regulatory requirements and provide recommendations to mitigate risk.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to support strategic initiatives, acquisitions, operational decisions, and business growth.

Why choose Addison Group?

• Competitive Pay: We negotiate high salaries using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and bonus opportunities
• Career Growth: Many Addison Group opportunities lead to long‑term and permanent employment
• Direct Access: Connect directly with hiring managers at leading organizations
• Flexibility & Options: Multiple opportunities tailored to your career goals and location preferences
• Professional Support: Resume guidance, interview preparation, and offer negotiation assistance

Addison Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Addison Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.