Junior Attorney

Description

Summary:

The Junior Attorney / Legal Ops Professional is a versatile role that combines legal expertise with operational support for our small legal department. This position requires a range of skills from providing legal analysis and support to managing key legal operations. The ideal candidate will be a recent law school graduate with 1-3 years of experience, eager to gain broad exposure to various aspects of corporate law while also developing expertise in legal operations.

FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

1. Legal Analysis and Support:
2. • Conduct comprehensive review of agreements, identifying potential conflicts and drafting redlines and revisions during negotiations with customers, vendors, and suppliers.
   • Perform legal research on various topics as needed, including statutes, case law, and regulations.
   • Provide analysis of incoming legal matters (e.g., trademark renewals, litigation notices) and suggest appropriate actions.
   • Assist with litigation management, including e-discovery, correspondence with outside counsel, and responding to discovery requests.
   • Respond to product development questions regarding label claims, titles, and other legal considerations.
   • Advise on corporate and product compliance matters such as the Corporate Transparency Act, MoCRA, Prop 65, etc.
   • Assist with and review due diligence for potential acquisitions, supporting the legal team in evaluating risks and opportunities.
3. Legal Operations Management:
4. • Oversee and maintain the litigation tracker, coordinating with outside counsel to manage and track matters.
   • Coordinate responses to indemnification requests from customers.
   • Manage, initiate, and track litigation holds, ensuring compliance and regular reviews.
   • Coordinate with outside IP counsel for specimen collection during trademark renewals.
   • Develop and implement processes to improve efficiency within the legal department.
   • Create guidelines and best practices for various legal and administrative tasks.
   • Coordinate information across departments and track internal requests for legal services.
5. Project Management and Communication:
6. • Manage special projects as assigned, from initiation to completion.
   • Track project status and provide regular updates to the Senior Attorney and Chief Legal Officer, ensuring timely completion of tasks.
   • Act as a primary point of contact for internal teams seeking legal assistance, triaging requests and providing initial guidance where appropriate.
   • Prepare and distribute regular updates on ongoing legal matters to the legal team and relevant stakeholders.
   • Assist with the preparation of board materials, including documents and slides for board of director meetings.
7. Professional Development:
8. • Actively seek opportunities to expand legal knowledge and skills.
   • Stay informed about relevant legal developments in areas pertinent to the company's business.
   • Gradually take on more complex legal tasks under the mentorship of senior attorneys.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
• 1-3 years of legal experience, preferably in a corporate or in-house setting
• Active bar membership in Missouri or ability to obtain reciprocal licensing
• Strong academic background with excellent research and writing skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, legal research tools, and document management systems
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Interest in legal operations and improving departmental efficiency

Preferred Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in business (e.g., accounting, business administration, marketing)
• Experience in or familiarity with manufacturing and private label industry
• Knowledge of intellectual property law, particularly trademark management
• Experience with e-discovery tools and processes
• Familiarity with legal operations concepts and best practices
• Experience with due diligence processes for mergers and acquisitions

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

This position operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. The physical demands are typical of an office environment, with occasional lifting and moving of files or equipment up to 20 pounds.