Associate Legal Counsel

What we offer you

• Medical, Rx, Dental, Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Savings Plans with Company Match/Contributions
• Education Assistance
• Bonus Plan Eligibility
• Hybrid work schedule
• Parental Leave

Pay Range: $120,611  - $165,434

Job Summary

The Associate Legal Counsel provides legal support to Hydro across a range of commercial, corporate, compliance, and regulatory matters under the supervision of more senior attorneys. This role is designed for a developing lawyer who is building subject matter expertise and gaining experience in advising the business. The Associate Legal Counsel will work closely with senior counsel to support legal projects, commercial contracting, risk mitigation, and business operations, while learning the company’s priorities and evolving their legal judgment. The role is a member of the Group Legal Department and reports directly to the Vice President & Head of Legal - North America.

What you will be doing

• Provide proactive, pragmatic legal advice on a wide range of corporate, commercial, regulatory, and compliance matters with oversight and guidance from more senior attorneys.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex contracts, including supply, distribution, licensing, procurement, and technology agreements, under the direction of more senior attorneys.
• Advise on compliance, corporate governance, and risk management initiatives; develop and implement legal policies, playbooks, and training.
• Support M&A transactions under the supervision of more senior counsel, including due diligence, deal structuring, agreements and post-merger integration.
• Support significant litigation, dispute resolution, and regulatory investigations, working closely with outside counsel and more senior internal counsel.
• Draft documents and communicate with clarity and precision.
• Mentor and provide guidance to Associate Legal Counsel; review their work as needed.
• Lead or co-lead strategic legal projects and continuous improvement initiatives within the legal department.
• Serve as a legal resource to internal stakeholders to understand and support their needs and priorities.
• Stay abreast of legal and industry developments, proactively identifying risks and opportunities for the business.
• Have a good understanding of Hydro’s business and priorities, as well as a strong business acumen focused on commercial issues that may impact Hydro and the aluminum industry.
• Represent the company in dealings with regulators, partners, and external counsel as delegated.
• Foster a culture of ethics, integrity, and inclusion within the legal team and broader organization.

What will make you successful?

Required Education/Experience:

• Juris Doctor degree from a fully accredited U.S. law school
• License to practice law in the state of Illinois.
• At least 3 years of post-Juris Doctor legal experience, ideally with a combination of law firm training and in-house counsel exposure, covering a variety of legal subject areas.
• Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of commercial contracts.
• Proven ability to provide sound legal advice on broad spectrum of corporate, commercial, regulatory, and other legal matters.
• Exposure to cross-functional collaboration across multiple jurisdictions with a broad variety of business functions.
• Experience managing outside legal counsel. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite required

Preferred Skills/Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of foundational principles in contract law, corporate law, and compliance.
• Some familiarity with employment law, data privacy regulations, and intellectual property.
• Working knowledge of legal risk management principles and corporate governance practices.
• Awareness of industry-specific legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Understanding of litigation processes and dispute resolution strategies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex legal issues, while maintaining a pragmatic orientation.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills tailored to both legal and non-legal audiences, especially in the context of providing training.
• Creativity and resourcefulness. Proactive and enthusiastic team-player attitude.
• Sound project management skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously, as well as adapt to changing priorities.

Please note: 5-10% travel to North American plant locations, with international travel to one Group Legal Department meeting per year.

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