Legal Counsel

GDM Seeds Inc.; Westfield (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

GDM Seeds Inc. is seeking a strategic Legal Counsel to partner with business leaders and global teams, ensuring compliance and minimizing legal risk.

This role covers contracts, IP protection, regulatory matters, and dispute resolution, with a requirement to work in-office four days a week and remotely one day. You will collaborate across departments, mentor junior staff, and develop corporate policies while maintaining high ethical standards and integrity in a fast-paced agribusiness

Qualifications

• J.D. degree required from an accredited law school.
• Admitted to the bar in at least one U.S. state; Indiana admission preferred.
• 3–5 years of corporate, in-house, law firm, or related legal experience preferred.
• Experience with commercial contract drafting and negotiation required.
• Experience or knowledge in IP, cybersecurity/privacy, labor and employment, creditors' rights, environmental law, or regulatory compliance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal counsel on broad business, operational, and legal matters.
• Advises leadership on legal risks, compliance, rights, obligations, and risk mitigation.
• Serves as subject matter expert in one or more legal disciplines (IP, commercial, cybersecurity/privacy, labor, environmental, finance).
• Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and manages contracts (commercial, employment, vendor, licensing, supply, service).
• Assists with pre-litigation disputes, governmental inquiries, investigations, and compliance matters.
• Coordinates with outside counsel and manages external resources.
• Develops and supports corporate policies, procedures, compliance initiatives, and legal training.
• Conducts legal audits to identify regulatory risk.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Contract drafting

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Integrity

MS Office

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Bar admission in at least one U.S. state

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.