Corporate Counsel

Overview

This role serves as a trusted legal advisor providing practical, business-focused legal counsel to a publicly traded omnichannel retail organization operating through e-commerce and brick-and-mortar locations across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Reporting to the Chief Legal & Human Resources Officer, the Corporate Counsel partners closely with Human Resources and business leaders to provide strategic legal guidance on employment law, commercial contracts, retail operations, marketing and advertising, privacy and cybersecurity, compliance, and other general corporate legal matters.

Responsibilities

General Corporate & Commercial Support

• Provide day-to-day legal advice across the organization on employment law, retail operations, e-commerce, digital marketing, commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, privacy and cybersecurity, merchandising, supply chain, technology, customer service, and store operations.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and interpret various commercial agreements including vendor, consulting, technology, marketing, confidentiality, and service agreements.
• Support corporate initiatives, operational projects, and cross-functional business matters.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and maintenance of company policies and procedures to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting retail operations in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico and communicate practical business implications.
• Assist with intellectual property matters such as trademarks, copyrights, patents, licensing, brand protection, and marketing content review.
• Identify opportunities to improve legal processes, increase efficiency, reduce cycle times, and provide scalable legal support.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Employment Law & Human Resources Support

• Counsel Human Resources and business leaders on employee relations including performance management, disciplinary actions, workplace investigations, accommodations, leaves of absence, reductions in force, and terminations.
• Advise on compliance with federal, state (emphasizing California), and local employment laws including Title VII, ADA, FLSA, FMLA, wage and hour laws, workers' compensation, and leave of absence laws.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting employment law and provide guidance on compliance strategies.
• Draft, review, and negotiate employment-related documents such as offer letters, employment agreements, separation agreements, confidentiality agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, and settlement agreements.
• Review, develop, and update employee handbooks, workplace policies, Human Resources procedures, and training materials.

Litigation & Risk Management

• Manage employment-related claims, agency charges, audits, investigations, and litigation before the EEOC, DOL, OSHA, state labor agencies, and other regulatory bodies.
• Manage outside counsel to ensure efficient, cost-effective legal representation and favorable outcomes.
• Advise business leaders on legal risk and develop practical solutions balancing business objectives and risk mitigation.
• Coordinate with outside counsel on specialized litigation, regulatory inquiries, and other legal matters requiring external expertise.

Requirements

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar in good standing.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant legal experience, preferably including significant in-house and/or retail experience.
• Experience advising a national retailer, consumer-facing company, or multi-state employer.
• Experience managing employment litigation, administrative proceedings, and outside counsel.
• Strong experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Working knowledge of U.S. employment, retail, consumer protection, privacy, advertising, intellectual property, and commercial law.
• Ability to build strong partnerships with executives and cross-functional teams including Human Resources, Finance, IT, Procurement, Marketing, Compliance, and Operations.
• Excellent judgment, organization, communication, negotiation, and project management skills.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws applicable to multi-state employers.
• Strong legal research, analytical, drafting, negotiation, and contract interpretation skills.
• Ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice balancing legal risk and business objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interaction with executives, business leaders, and employees at all levels.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and legal technology platforms.
• Must be able to work Pacific Standard Time hours to meet business needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Practical, commercially minded, and business-focused approach.
• Clear, concise, and solutions-oriented communication style.
• Comfortable operating independently while recognizing when to escalate issues.
• Collaborative relationship builder who earns trust across the organization.
• Ability to translate complex legal requirements into practical, actionable business guidance.
• Sound judgment balancing legal risk, business objectives, speed, cost, and customer experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $160,000 - $185,000
• Competitive compensation package
• 401(k) with company matching contribution
• Potential to earn company performance-based bonuses
• Comprehensive wellness package including medical, dental, vision, FSA, on-site chiropractic and massage therapy services, fitness and yoga classes
• Generous 50% employee discount and access to employee-only sales
• Paid volunteer time up to 32 hours annually
• Child care discount at participating locations
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering legal, financial consultations, mental health services, and more
• Opportunities for professional growth and upward mobility

Location

• Must be able to work Pacific Standard Time hours
• Position supports operations across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico

Equal Opportunity Statement

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected status.