Legal Counsel

AgReliant Genetics; Town of Westfield (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

GDM Seeds seeks a seasoned Legal Counsel to act as a strategic business partner, guiding legal risk and advising on contracts, IP, and regulatory matters. You will work closely with leaders and global teams to ensure compliance while supporting business objectives.

The role involves a mix of in‑office and remote work (four days in the office, one day remote), with opportunities to influence policies and governance across the organization.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school is required.
• Bar admission in at least one U.S. state is required.
• 3–5 years of corporate, in-house, or related legal experience preferred.
• Experience with commercial contract drafting and negotiation required.
• Ability to travel regionally and internationally as needed.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal counsel on a broad range of business, operational, and legal matters.
• Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and manages contracts and agreements.
• Advises on IP, regulatory compliance, and data privacy.
• Coordinates with outside counsel and external resources.
• Develops policies, training programs, and risk management initiatives.
• Supports corporate governance and internal investigations when required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Negotiation

Contract drafting

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Discretion

Leadership influence

Problem solving

MS Office

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Bar admission (US)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

WHO WE ARE

GDM Seeds is a global leader in plant genetics, dedicated to transforming agriculture through technological innovation. With a continuous focus on research and development, we bring the most advanced and high‑performing seed varieties to the market, creating new growth opportunities for our partners and for the future of agribusiness. Our North America portfolio includes leading brands like AgriGold®, DONMARIO®, Mustang™, PRIDE® Seeds, Revere®, and Virtue, supported by a network of research superstations, one of the largest corn genetic pools and the fourth-largest corn research program. Through our combined expertise, we continue to push the boundaries of innovation, delivering top-tier seed solutions to help farmers grow and succeed. GDM’s region-first brand model reinforces the company’s long-standing promise to deliver top-performing genetics and robust agronomic support - ensuring farmers have the right genetics, in the right place, at the right time.

OUR DNA

We are passionate about what we do and driven by curiosity. We believe that learning and innovation are the foundation for transforming the future of agriculture. Our focus is on cutting‑edge genetic development, creating solutions that make a difference in the field and in the global market.

Our DNA not only guides us but also connects us: we work with empathy, transparency, and respect, ensuring agile and flexible operations. Here, you are the protagonist of your career, because we believe every individual plays an essential role in building something greater.

If you are passionate about learning and want to be part of evolving agriculture, GDM is the right place for you!

We are proud to offer a competitive benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match (eligible 1 st of the month following date of hire)
• Generous vacation time & paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Tuition and Health Club reimbursement
• Other benefits:Company paid Long-term and short-term disability insurance, company paid life insurance and optional supplemental life insurance, health savings account (HSA) with a company contribution and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

GDM is an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage you to apply.

Learn more about us at gdmseeds.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @GDMSeeds.

Job Summary:

The Legal Counsel serves as a strategic business partner, providing legal advice and guidance to support organizational objectives while minimizing legal and commercial risk. This position works closely with business leaders, internal stakeholders, and global legal teams to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, corporate governance requirements, contractual obligations, and internal policies. The role supports a broad range of legal matters, including contract negotiation, intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, risk management, and corporate policy development. This position requires employees to work four days per week in the office and one day remotely.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Provides legal counsel and guidance on a broad range of business, operational, and legal matters.

• Advises business leaders and stakeholders regarding legal risks, compliance requirements, rights, obligations, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Serves as a subject matter expert in one or more legal disciplines, including intellectual property, commercial transactions, cybersecurity and data privacy, labor and employment, environmental law, and finance-related matters.
• Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and manages a variety of contracts and agreements, including commercial, employment, vendor, licensing, supply, and service agreements.
• Assists with pre-litigation disputes, governmental inquiries, investigations, and compliance-related matters to minimize legal exposure and support business objectives.
• Coordinates legal activities and strategies with outside counsel and manages external legal resources as needed.
• Develops, implements, and supports corporate policies, procedures, compliance initiatives, and legal training programs.
• Conducts legal audits and assessments to identify and address areas of legal and regulatory risk.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex legal concepts to diverse audiences.
• Strong business acumen and ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal solutions.
• Ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Excellent negotiation, contract drafting, and analytical skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and participate in cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong leadership, influence, and relationship-building skills.
• High ethical standards and commitment to integrity and compliance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional internal client service and maintaining a professional representation of the organization.

Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school required.
• Admission to the bar in at least one U.S. state required; Indiana admission preferred.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of corporate, in‑house, law firm, or related legal experience preferred.
• Experience with commercial contract drafting and negotiation required.
• Experience or knowledge in one or more of the following areas preferred: intellectual property, cybersecurity and data privacy, labor and employment law, creditors' rights, environmental law, or regulatory compliance.
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet company motor vehicle record (MVR) guidelines, if required for travel.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to travel regionally and internationally as needed (less than 10% travel).
• Ability to work in an office environment a minimum of four days per week.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.