The Legal Team’s mission is to be efficient, effective, and creative business partners who manage risk, advocate for the Company, and drive top priorities.  The Corporate Counsel will support this mission by collaborating with various business functions across the organization as a trusted legal advisor to provide practical advice and solutions.  Under the general supervision of the Associate General Counsel, this role will provide legal support to various departments, including People, IT, Sales & Marketing, Engineering, and Manufacturing. Key responsibilities include labor and employment matters, contract drafting and review, privacy and data security, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, and litigation support.  The position requires strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and enthusiasm for handling issues across a variety of subject matters/areas of law. The Corporate Counsel must stay informed of laws, regulations, and trends relevant to the company and our industry.

• Help manage and support the day-to-day affairs of the department, including reviewing and addressing various requests from the organization, and interfacing with business teams, outside counsel, and consultants.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with numerous departments and develop a strong understanding of key business functions.
• Counsel the business on labor and employment-related issues, including workplace investigations and employee-relation matters.
• Identify potential areas of legal and compliance risks and vulnerability and recommend and implement risk mitigation strategies, including with respect to employment laws and privacy.
• Create and deliver trainings for the business on legal and compliance matters.
• Review, draft and negotiate contracts, including vendor engagements, supply agreements, continuing guarantees, distribution agreements, NDAs, equipment purchase agreements, marketing agreements and various professional services and consulting agreements.
• Provide proactive, collaborative, solutions-oriented advice designed to mitigate risk, maximize recoveries, and support business priorities, including with respect to people safety and food safety.
• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism in responding to and handling confidential, privileged, and sensitive issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate General Counsel or VP Legal.

It is the responsibility of all employees to uphold the mission of the Amy’s Food Safety and Quality Policy. This includes following all Food Safety and Sustainability programs and participating in all required training.

KEY FOOD SAFETY PERSONNEL

This position is identified as a key food safety role with the authority to initiate actions related to food safety and report food safety problems.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school
• Minimum 4 years of experience practicing law. Experience in consumer-packaged goods and/or labor/employment law is preferred.  

Skills

• Communication: Excellent analytical and communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner.
• Judgment: Strong independent judgment and ability to devise practical, business-oriented solutions, and make sound decisions quickly and in the face of ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Collaboration: Collaborative and approachable team player with excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail
• Negotiation: Strong negotiation skills and business judgment.
• Organization: Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Initiative: Self-starter - willingness to tackle diverse projects in a small in-house legal team environment.
• Adaptable: Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within changing priorities with enthusiasm.
• Technical Proficiencies: proficient in Microsoft Office tools and WestLaw, LexisNexis, and/or Practical Law; working knowledge of Excel and Smartsheet.

Certificates, Licenses, & Registrations

Member in good standing with California State Bar preferred; otherwise, the candidate will be required to become a Registered In-House Counsel or otherwise qualify to work as in-house counsel at the Company.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stay in a stationary position, talk or hear.  The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Work Environment

If the candidate lives within 50 miles of our Petaluma, California office, they will be required to work on-site at least three (3) days a week. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Travel

This position is expected to travel to one of our three manufacturing sites (Northern California, Southern Oregon, and Eastern Idaho) once a quarter.  Additional trips may be required during onboarding and to support certain projects as assigned.