Junior Corporate Counsel

Alps Alpine (North America), Inc.; Auburn Hills (MI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO Health Benefits

401(k) Retirement Plan

Opportunity for Annual Bonuses

Generous PTO and Holidays

Job summary

Alps Alpine NA, Inc. is seeking a skilled Legal Counsel to provide timely guidance on corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters. This role will draft and negotiate diverse agreements while maintaining governance records and managing risk across the organization.

You will collaborate with Compliance, HR, and product teams, support IP and litigation activities, and help ensure compliance with industry standards. A JD/LL.M and active US Bar are required, with 2+ years post-bar experience.

Qualifications

• JD/LL.M from an accredited law school and active US State Bar membership.
• 2+ years post-bar experience drafting vendor/contractor agreements and handling corporate filings.
• Experience in contract management, compliance, risk management, and employment matters.
• Knowledge of commercial transactions and contracts; automotive manufacturing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal guidance to management on corporate, commercial, regulatory, and operational matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements.
• Maintain corporate governance records and filings; manage annual reports and board documents.
• Identify and mitigate legal/regulatory risks; assist in policy development and training.
• Coordinate litigation matters; support with strategy and resolutions.
• Support IP portfolio activities including trademarks, patents, and licensing.
• Advise on product development, procurement, sales, and marketing to minimize risk.
• Assist HR with employment law matters, investigations, and compliance.
• Manage outside counsel relationships and budgets.
• Support strategic initiatives, due diligence, and special projects.
• Assist with certification programs (TISAX, TS16949, IATF) compliance.

Skills

Legal research & analysis

Contract management

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Litigation coordination

Intellectual property support

Product & commercial support

Employment law knowledge

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) and/or LL.M, licensed in US

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Legal Counsel & Business Advisory: Provide timely and practical legal guidance to management and business units on a broad range of corporate, commercial, operational, and regulatory matters. Identify legal risks and recommend solutions that support business objectives while protecting the organization's interests.
• Contract Management: Draft, review, revise, interpret, and negotiate a wide variety of commercial agreements, including vendor, customer, licensing, confidentiality, service, and independent contractor agreements, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, company policies, and acceptable risk levels.
• Corporate Governance & Corporate Records: Assist in maintaining corporate governance records and legal entities by preparing and managing corporate filings, annual reports, board documentation, resolutions, licenses, registrations, and other statutory records required to maintain legal compliance.
• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management: Partner with Compliance and Risk Management to identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks. Monitor changes in applicable laws and regulations, develop and update corporate policies, and assist in delivering compliance training to promote adherence to legal and ethical standards.
• Litigation Management: Support the management of litigation, claims, disputes, and government inquiries by coordinating with internal stakeholders and outside counsel, overseeing document collection, monitoring case progress, and assisting with legal strategy and resolution.
• Intellectual Property: Support the company's domestic and international intellectual property portfolio by assisting with trademarks, patent, copyright, and trade secret matters, including registrations, portfolio maintenance, enforcement actions, licensing, and coordination of related legal proceedings.
• Product & Commercial Support: Provide legal guidance with product development, engineering, procurement, sales, and other business functions to support product development, commercialization, marketing initiatives, and ongoing business operations while minimizing legal and regulatory risk.
• Employment & Labor Law Support: Provide legal support to Human Resources on employment‑related matters, including workplace policies, employee relations, labor and employment law compliance, immigration matters, investigations, and other personnel issues, as appropriate.
• Outside Counsel Management: Collaborate with and manage relationships with outside legal counsel by coordinating legal services, monitoring performance and budgets, and ensuring legal matters are handled efficiently and in alignment with company objectives.
• Legal Research & Strategic Initiatives: Conduct legal research, prepare legal memoranda, and support strategic business initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, and other special projects, by providing legal analysis, due diligence, and transactional support as assigned.
• Provide support toward the certification and ensure compliance to customer required quality management systems (TISAX, TS16949, IATF, etc..)
• Positions that fall under the functions of Product Development, Legal, HR, IT and Executive Management are required to exercise a higher level of confidentiality and discretion in handling information that these positions have access to.

NON-ESSENTIONAL FUNCTIONS

• Other duties as assigned

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

• Supervision is typically received from the Legal Manager.

SUPERVISION ADMINISTERED

• This position typically does not require the supervision of others within the Legal department.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE AND/OR TRAINING

• A Juris Doctor (JD) and/or LL.M Degree from an accredited law school.
• Active member in good standing of a US State Bar.
• 2 years or more post-bar experience in creating vendor contracts and contractor agreements, experience managing various corporate governmental filings and assisting with corporate records, law firm and/or in-house experience handling transactional legal matters.
• Experience in contract management, legal compliance, risk management, and/or employment.
• Knowledge of commercial transactions and commercial contracts.
• Experience in automotive manufacturing and distribution is highly preferred.

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS

• Valid U.S. driver’s license required
• Licensed or eligible to practice law in good standing in the state of Michigan or other jurisdiction
• Valid documents for international travel required

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:

• General office equipment includes, but not limited to, a computer, printer, photocopier, shredder, telephone, fax machine, and calculator.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Problem Solving Skills
• Verbal Communication Skills
• Written Communication and Skills

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Internet / Email
• Presentation Software
• Spreadsheet Software
• Word Processing Software

MENTAL DEMANDS typically required

• Concentration and attentiveness
• Manage multiple projects and tasks
• Independent judgment and discretion
• Deescalate high conflict situations
• Read and comprehend instructions/work orders
• Respond to unpredictability
• Organize and prioritize
• Relate to others

PHYSICAL DEMANDS typically required

• FREQUENTLY INCURRED (between 26% and 75% time on job)
• Ability to stand
• Ability to sit

  OCCASIONALLY INCURRED (up to 25% time on job)

  • Ability to navigate the office.
  • Ability to perform tasks that require computer use, such as typing.
  • Ability to handle and manage physical documents or products.

  WORKING CONDITIONS typically required

  • FREQUENTLY INCURRED (Up to 25% of time on job)
    • Travel and/or overnight stays

  PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

  This position typically does not require the use of personal protective equipment. Employees may be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses or work gloves, when performing specific tasks in certain work conditions or environments.

  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  Summary of Benefits and EEO statement

  Alps Alpine NA, Inc. offers competitive salaries with a great work environment. Our comprehensive employee benefits package includes:

  • PPO Health Benefits (medical/dental/vision) Effective on Start Date
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
  • Opportunity for Annual Bonuses
  • Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Product Purchase Discounts
  • Wellness Reimbursement Program
  • Life, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability Insurances
  • Hybrid Work Location (3 Office :2 Home)

  Alps Alpine NA, Inc. values its members as individuals and is committed to forming an energetic and attractive company where the quality of work is enhanced.

  Alps Alpine North America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Alps Alpine NA, Inc. to consider all job applications on the basis of merit without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.