Who we are looking for:Slate is looking for a Deputy General Counsel (the "Deputy GC") to join the legal leadership team in Troy, MI. Reporting to the General Counsel, you will own legal support for Slate's fleet sales, accessories, service, customs and trade, and real estate functions, while also serving as a senior partner to the General Counsel and the broader legal team across the operational legal portfolio.
What you get to do:- Bring the senior judgment and operational discipline to help build a lean, efficient, and scalable legal department; one that delivers strong commercial outcomes without growing headcount in lockstep with the business.
- Serve as the legal lead for Slate's fleet sales program, including fleet customer agreements, master purchase and lease arrangements, telematics and data terms, channel partner agreements, and the contracting infrastructure needed to scale fleet revenue.
- Serve as the legal lead for Slate's accessories program, including parts and aftermarket distribution, supplier and partnership agreements, channel and consumer matters, and the contractual infrastructure needed to scale a personalization-driven product line.
- Serve as the legal lead for service operations, including service network agreements, mobile service frameworks, warranty programs, and parts and logistics arrangements.
- Lead Slate's customs and trade program, including country-of-origin determinations, import/export controls, sanctions (OFAC), forced labor compliance, and tariff strategy; partnering with supply chain, finance, and operations to translate program requirements into day-to-day execution.
- Own legal matters related to Slate's real estate footprint, including leases, build-outs, and site-related agreements.
- Lead negotiation and structuring of complex commercial transactions and strategic relationships within your portfolio, partnering with subject-matter counsel across commercial, supply chain, and compliance to deliver coordinated outcomes for the business.
- Provide senior-level leverage to the General Counsel and the broader legal team, acting as a force multiplier across cross-functional matters.
- Partner with the General Counsel to develop and operationalize company-wide policies and procedures covering ethical business practices, data governance, claims management, and contract administration.
- Monitor legislative and regulatory changes affecting fleet sales, accessories, service, customs and trade, real estate, and the broader automotive industry; brief leadership on impacts and recommend responsive action.
- Advise on litigation risks and support proactive legal strategies to mitigate liabilities; coordinate litigation, settlement negotiations, and dispute resolution alongside the General Counsel and subject-matter counsel as needed.
- Provide preventative legal counseling and ensure compliance with applicable laws and internal policies.
- Lead periodic legal risk assessments within your portfolio and own mitigation plans.
- Manage outside counsel relationships within your portfolio, including scoping engagements, controlling spend, and holding firms accountable to quality and cost expectations.
- Supervise approximately 2-3 attorneys and legal professionals; develop the team and own performance management.
- Step in as acting General Counsel when required for continuity of legal services.
What you bring to the team:- Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent degree, with an active license to practice law in at least one U.S. state (Michigan preferred).
- 10-15+ years of progressive in-house and/or law firm experience advising operating companies on complex commercial, regulatory, and litigation matters.
- Experience in the Electric Vehicle (EV), automotive, or industrial manufacturing sector preferred.
- Demonstrated experience leading or supporting a customs and trade program; country-of-origin, import/export controls, OFAC sanctions, and forced labor compliance strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting fleet sales programs, accessories or aftermarket distribution, service network operations, or warranty and consumer products matters is a plus. Commercial real estate experience is an additional plus.
- Demonstrated expertise with modern legal automation and productivity platforms. Uses force-multiplier technologies fluently to scale individual and team output, and brings a track record of deploying them across contracting, research, and operations.
- Strong ability to analyze complex legal documents and provide strategic, business-oriented legal counsel.
- Excellent ability to respond effectively to sensitive legal inquiries and present information persuasively to executive leadership.
- Expertise in negotiating and structuring complex commercial transactions, strategic relationships, and legal settlements.
- Proficiency in mathematical reasoning for financial transactions, contract structuring, and legal risk assessments.
- Strong critical thinking skills to interpret technical legal concepts and manage complex regulatory requirements.
- Demonstrated team leadership, develops talent, builds operational rigor, and drives accountability.
- Seeks opportunities to collaborate across teams, leveraging diverse perspectives to create seamless, constructive solutions that support exceptional service delivery throughout the business.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
