Senior Legal Counsel

GreenWaste

San Jose (CA)

On-site

USD 180,000 - 280,000

Full time

32 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Holiday pay

401(k) benefits

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Job summary

GreenWaste is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join our in-house team. This high-impact role focuses on commercial transactions, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic initiatives, partnering with executive leadership to enable business objectives while managing legal risk.

The role requires strong contract negotiation skills, independent judgment, and the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical guidance for non-legal stakeholders in a fast-paced

Qualifications

J.D. from an accredited law school and active U.S. state bar admission.
Minimum 8 years of relevant legal experience; in-house background preferred.
Experience negotiating commercial contracts and vendor agreements.

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements.
Support mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions.
Provide practical legal guidance to executive leadership.
Oversee regulatory compliance and governance matters.
Manage outside counsel and legal spend.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Commercial transactions

Business acumen

Independent worker

Communication

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Tools

Contract lifecycle management systems

Matter management and e-billing tools

Microsoft 365 / SharePoint

Job description

About The Company

GreenWaste ® has been an industry leader in recycling and waste diversion for more than 40 years and is on a growth trajectory after private equity investment in 2021. Our business was founded on principles of environmental sustainability, and innovation is a cornerstone of our ongoing operations and growth strategy. GreenWaste specializes in all aspects of material collection, processing, and sales, tailoring our service offerings to the unique needs of our customers and communities, and helping to shape the evolution of the solid waste and recycling industry. We work directly with 20+ municipalities and 50+ jurisdictions, operate highly regulated facilities in 10+ locations, and have 1,000+ employees.

About The Company

GreenWaste is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join our growing in‑house legal team. This is a high‑impact role for a business‑minded attorney who wants to work closely with executive leadership and help drive a dynamic, mission‑driven company forward.

Position Summary

GreenWaste is seeking an experienced, business‑oriented Senior Legal Counsel to serve as a key member of its in‑house legal team. This role will provide practical, strategic legal advice across a broad range of corporate and operational matters, with a primary focus on commercial transactions, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic initiatives.

The Senior Legal Counsel will partner closely with executive and operational leadership to enable business objectives while managing legal risk. This position requires the ability to operate independently, exercise strong judgment, and deliver clear, actionable guidance in a fast‑paced and evolving environment.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions & Responsibilities
- Commercial Transactions & Contracts
  - Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of complex commercial agreements, including:
- Strategic Transactions & Corporate Matters
  - Support mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions
  - Assist with regulatory filings (e.g., HSR, CFIUS) as applicable
  - Provide counsel on corporate governance and entity management
- Legal Advisory & Business Partnership
  - Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership (CEO, CFO, COO, and functional VPs)
  - Provide legal guidance across operations, including:
    - Business development and growth initiatives
    - Regulatory and compliance matters
    - Employment and labor considerations (in coordination with HR/legal specialists)
    - Real estate, licensing, marketing, and intellectual property
  - Translate legal concepts into practical business guidance
- Regulatory, Risk & Compliance
  - Monitor and advise on applicable laws and regulatory requirements, with emphasis on California
  - Identify, assess, and proactively manage legal and operational risks
  - Support environmental, permitting, and regulatory matters as needed
- Litigation & Outside Counsel Management
  - Manage outside counsel on litigation and advisory matters
  - Oversee matter tracking, budgeting, and invoice review (e.g., Legal Tracker)
  - Support internal investigations and responses to regulatory inquiries
- Legal Operations & Process Improvement
  - Maintain and optimize contract lifecycle management systems (e.g., Ironclad)
  - Develop and update templates, playbooks, and internal policies
  - Improve legal processes to enhance efficiency, scalability, and service delivery
  - Leverage technology and AI tools responsibly to improve productivity
- Training & Organizational Support
  - Provide training to internal stakeholders on legal processes and compliance
  - Contribute to cross‑functional initiatives and continuous improvement efforts
- Other
  - Support the General Counsel on strategic priorities and special projects
  - Track performance metrics and contribute to legal department planning

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Strong expertise in commercial transactions and contract negotiation
Ability to provide clear, concise, and practical legal guidance to non‑legal stakeholders
Strong business acumen and ability to align legal advice with operational goals
Experience operating independently with sound judgment and prioritization skills
Effective communicator with strong writing, editing, and presentation abilities
Proven ability to manage complex, high‑volume workloads in a fast‑paced environment
Experience managing outside counsel and legal spend
Strong organizational and project management skills
High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism

Technical Skills

Contract lifecycle management systems
Matter management and e‑billing tools
Microsoft 365 (including SharePoint)

Qualifications

J.D. from an accredited law school
Active membership in a U.S. state bar; California Bar admission or eligibility for in‑house counsel registration within 6 months required
Minimum of 8 years of relevant legal experience
Prior in‑house experience strongly preferred; combination of law firm and in‑house experience highly valued

Language Skills

English proficiency required
Spanish proficiency is a plus but not required

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Primarily office‑based environment with prolonged computer use
Standard business hours with flexibility for some evenings or weekends
Limited travel may be required

Compensation And Benefits

Financial compensation will be commensurate with applicable experience. GreenWaste offers a competitive benefits package, including paid time off, holiday pay, 401K benefits, FSA, and full employee coverage for medical, dental and vision insurance.

This Organization participates in E‑Verify.

GreenWaste provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

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