Senior Regulatory Counsel

Ellsworth Corporation; Town of Germantown (WI); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Bonus plan

401(k)

Paid time off

Wellness program

Job summary

Ellsworth Corporation, a global distributor and manufacturer, seeks a Senior Regulatory Counsel to lead regulatory strategy across environmental, health and safety, product stewardship, and chemical and trade compliance. This role partners with Sales, Operations, and Quality to ensure compliant manufacturing, distribution, and sales activities.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years of relevant experience, a JD, and bar admission.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of related legal experience in environmental, health and safety, chemical regulatory, product stewardship, and trade law.
• In-house experience supporting manufacturing, chemical, industrial, distribution, or similarly regulated operations preferred.
• Admitted, active, and in good standing with the State Bar of Wisconsin, or with another state bar and registered or eligible to register as in-house counsel with the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Responsibilities

• Leads legal strategy on TSCA and EPA requirements.
• Interprets federal, state, local, and international regulatory requirements affecting products and facilities.
• Counsels teams on chemical classification, labeling, storage, and regulatory declarations.
• Reviews and updates Safety Data Sheets and product compliance statements.
• Directs responses to regulatory inquiries, investigations, and enforcement matters.
• Advises on environmental permitting, hazardous materials transportation, and waste requirements.
• Translates regulatory requirements into practical, risk-based options for business leaders.
• Monitors regulatory developments and develops guidance, templates, and processes.

Skills

Regulatory law

Environmental law

Chemical regulatory law

Legal interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

Job Description: What does a cell phone in your pocket, a spaceship, and an electric vehicle have in common? Ellsworth Adhesives provides materials that help make each of those products! Ellsworth Corporation, a global, industry leading distributor of specialty chemicals and equipment and adhesive manufacturer currently has a Senior Regulatory Counsel opportunity. This role reports into our corporate headquarters located in Germantown, WI. The ideal candidate would be open to hybrid work out of our Germantown office, however we are also open to fully remote for candidates that live outside of commutable distance. Want to continue to grow your career? This is an exciting time to be a part of Ellsworth, come join our team! Ellsworth Corporation is a family-run company that has had continuous growth for over 50 years. We are an industry-leading global distributor, manufacturer, and packager of adhesives used by cell phone, medical device, space/aerospace, and electric vehicle industries.

This role serves as senior regulatory legal counsel for environmental, health and safety, product stewardship, and chemical and trade compliance matters. It also provides risk-based regulatory interpretation and strategic and practical guidance to business leaders, Sales, Operations, and technical regulatory and quality teams to support compliant manufacturing, distribution, and sales activities.

Responsibilities

• Leads legal strategy and advises on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and related U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements, including chemical reporting, new chemical review, significant new use rules, import certification, and recordkeeping.
• Interprets federal, state, local, and applicable international environmental, health and safety, product stewardship, and chemical and trade compliance requirements affecting products, facilities, and supply chains.
• Counsels business and technical teams on chemical classification, labeling, storage, transportation, product restrictions, customer certifications, and regulatory declarations.
• Reviews, drafts, and updates Safety Data Sheets, Technical Data Sheets, product compliance statements, and related communications for legal and regulatory risk.
• Leads or directs legal responses to regulatory inquiries, subpoenas, information requests, internal investigations, enforcement matters, incident response, and corrective actions.
• Advises on environmental permitting, hazardous materials transportation and waste requirements, emergency planning and reporting, remediation, and related emerging considerations.
• Partners with Sales, Operations, technical regulatory and quality teams, and business leaders to translate legal and regulatory requirements into practical, risk-based options.
• Anticipates and monitors regulatory developments, assesses enterprise risk, and leads the development of guidance, training, templates, processes, and procedures for areas of responsibility.
• Advises on regulatory terms in commercial, procurement, lease, access, and services agreements, including allocation of environmental and chemical product compliance risk, and supplements commercial and corporate work of the Legal Department as needed.
• Selects and manages external counsel, consultants, and other legal resources for assigned matters.
• Supports trade compliance matters that intersect with chemical or product classification, import and export requirements, sanctions, tariffs, and government contracting obligations.
• Executes additional assignments and projects as required to advance Legal Department and organizational priorities.

PERKS & BENEFITS

As an industry leader, we offer a competitive wage, bonus plan, and a comprehensive benefit package which includes Health, Prescription, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Flexible Spending, 401(k), Employee Assistance, Paid Time Off and Holidays, Wellness Program, Social Events, Community Involvement and much more!

Qualifications

• 8+ years of related legal experience in environmental, health and safety, chemical regulatory, product stewardship, and trade law.
• In-house experience supporting manufacturing, chemical, industrial, distribution, or similarly regulated operations preferred.
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school required.
• Admitted, active, and in good standing with the State Bar of Wisconsin, or with another state bar and registered or eligible to register as in-house counsel with the State Bar of Wisconsin.
• Access to controlled technology or technical data may be required for this role.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to obtain such access under applicable U.S. regulations.
• Advanced knowledge of environmental, health and safety, product stewardship, chemical and trade compliance law, with demonstrated experience interpreting complex regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex regulatory matters, investigations, enforcement responses, and cross‑functional legal initiatives with limited supervision.
• Excellent legal research, analytical, written, and oral communication skills.
• Proven ability to exercise sound and practical business judgment and provide clear, risk‑based legal advice.
• Ability to translate statutes, regulations, agency guidance, and enforcement trends into actionable business options.
• Ability to establish strong relationships and influence leaders and technical professionals without direct authority.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, sensitive matters, and time‑critical issues in a fast‑paced environment.
• History of maintaining organized, accurate, and comprehensive records.
• Supports a culture of ethical behavior, legal compliance, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Occasional travel for work and/or training in North America.

At Ellsworth, people are at the center of everything we do. We’re a global organization built on long standing values, integrity, respect, collaboration, and a relentless focus on our customers. We believe great outcomes start with great people. That’s why we invest in an environment where curiosity is encouraged, expertise is valued, and individuals are empowered to make a meaningful impact—for our customers, our teams, and their own growth. No matter your role, you’ll find that customer focus is part of every job at Ellsworth. We work across disciplines and regions to solve complex challenges, support real world production needs, and build solutions that last. This is a place where your work matters, your voice is heard, and your growth is supported. You’re in the right place and we’re glad you’re here.