Senior Corporate Counsel

Affiliated Distributors, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Affiliated Distributors, Inc. in Wayne, PA seeks a Senior Corporate Counsel to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice across commercial and corporate matters.

You will draft and negotiate commercial agreements, support mergers and acquisitions, and advise on governance and compliance while building collaborative relationships across the organization. The role requires a JD, active bar admission, and 5–8 years of relevant experience in law, with strong drafting and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar admission in at least one U.S. state.
• 5–8 years of relevant law firm or corporate legal department experience.
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Experience supporting mergers and acquisitions is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate customer, supplier, technology and other commercial agreements.
• Support acquisitions from confidentiality agreements through closing and integration.
• Advise on governance, compliance and risk management with internal clients.
• Develop policies, playbooks and templates to improve efficiency and reduce risk.
• Coordinate with outside counsel and prepare Board materials as needed.
• Serve as a trusted legal resource to divisions and functions and monitor regulatory developments.

Skills

Drafting

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Tools

Microsoft Office

DocuSign

Contract lifecycle management

Job description

Description

The Senior Corporate Counsel provides practical, business-oriented legal advice across a broad range of commercial and corporate matters. The position partners with business leaders throughout AD to draft and negotiate commercial agreements, support mergers and acquisitions, advise on corporate governance and compliance matters, and help identify and manage legal risk. The successful candidate will develop a thorough understanding of AD's business model, governance and membership documents, and business priorities while building collaborative relationships across the organization.

Primary Responsibilities

Commercial Contracts and Business Transactions

• Draft, review and negotiate customer, supplier, technology, services, confidentiality, licensing and other commercial agreements.
• Partner with business leaders to structure transactions that achieve business objectives while appropriately managing legal risk.
• Develop and maintain contract templates, playbooks and processes to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Advise internal clients regarding contract interpretation, obligations and dispute avoidance.

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Support acquisitions from initial confidentiality agreements through closing and post-closing integration.
• Coordinate legal due diligence, transaction documentation and outside counsel.
• Partner with Finance and cross-functional teams to support transaction execution and integration.
• Maintain due diligence and integration checklists and assist with Board and executive materials.

Corporate Governance, Compliance and Risk Management

• Support governance activities, Board materials and corporate records.
• Assist with compliance, intellectual property, privacy, employment and other legal matters.
• Help develop policies, training and best practices to enhance management effectiveness and organizational compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Assist with litigation management and management of outside counsel.

Strategic Business Partnership

• Serve as a trusted legal resource to divisions and functional departments.
• Support strategic initiatives and special projects requiring legal guidance.
• Monitor legal developments and recommend practical business responses.
• Develop strong working relationships throughout AD and with outside advisors.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the Senior Corporate Counsel will complete special projects and analyses, collaborate with executive leadership and functional teams and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

a. Excellent drafting, negotiation and analytical skills.

b. Strong project management and organizational abilities.

c. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

d. Sound business judgement and practical problem-solving skills.

e. Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Advanced writing talent and excellent grammar.

f. Ability to build collaborative relationships across the organization.

g. Attention to detail and commitment to confidentiality.

h. High energy and initiative with leadership qualities needed to build consensus, identify solutions and implement them effectively.

i. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Docusign. Experience with a document management system and/or contract lifecycle management is a plus.

j. Ability to evaluate and utilize emerging AI technologies and legal technology solutions to enhance legal operations, streamline workflows, and support business objectives while ensuring compliance with applicable ethical, privacy, and governance standards.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• Minimum of 5-8 years of relevant experience in a law firm and/or corporate legal department.
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Experience supporting mergers and acquisitions is preferred.
• Strong ethical standards and professional judgment.

Additional Comments

• Business Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Position is based out of our corporate office in Wayne, PA, where we work on a hybrid schedule (Monday & Friday remote; Tuesday - Thursday in office)
• Limited travel as business needs require.

AD is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. At AD, we support a collaborative and inclusive environment. We value open participation from individuals with different ideas, experiences, and perspectives which we believe make AD a better place to work.