Role Summary
Reporting to the General Counsel, the Legal Counsel will provide practical, business-focused legal support to our Canadian headquarters and global operations, with a primary focus on commercial contracts. This role will be responsible for drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and managing a wide range of commercial agreements, as well as supporting broader legal matters including corporate, compliance, employment, intellectual property, and dispute management.
The ideal candidate is a commercially minded lawyer who enjoys working closely with business teams, can explain legal concepts in clear, simple language, and is comfortable operating in a fast-paced manufacturing and global supply chain environment.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Contracts
- Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including sales representative and distribution agreements, supply and procurement agreements, manufacturing and service agreements, NDAs, licensing agreements, and framework/master agreements.
- Support contract negotiations with customers, suppliers, distributors, and other business partners in Canada and internationally, balancing legal risk with commercial objectives.
- Develop and maintain template agreements, standard terms and conditions, and contract playbooks to drive consistency and efficiency across the business.
- Advise on contract interpretation, performance issues, amendments, renewals, and terminations, and support the resolution of contractual disputes.
- Work with the business to implement and improve contract review, approval, and record-keeping processes.
Intellectual Property & Technology
- Coordinate with internal stakeholders on protection and enforcement of the company's IP portfolio (patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets) as it relates to commercial agreements.
- Support IP-related provisions in customer/supplier, R&D, technology, licensing, and development agreements, including ownership, licensing, confidentiality, and use restrictions.
- Help manage confidentiality and data protection obligations in relation to customers, suppliers, and partners.
Corporate & Governance Support
- Assist with corporate governance matters for Canadian and international subsidiaries, including maintaining corporate records, supporting resolutions, and liaising with external corporate service providers.
- Support internal approval processes for key transactions and corporate initiatives.
- Assist with M&A, joint venture, and other strategic transactions, including due diligence, document review, and coordination with external counsel.
Dispute Management
- Assist with the early identification and management of disputes and potential claims involving customers, suppliers, employees, regulators, and other third parties.
- Work with internal stakeholders to gather facts, assess risk, and develop resolution strategies (including commercial resolutions where appropriate).
- Instruct and manage external counsel in litigation, arbitration, or regulatory matters, where required.
Compliance & Regulatory
- Support compliance programs related to competition/antitrust, anti-bribery and corruption, trade controls, sanctions, data privacy, and other applicable laws and regulations relevant to a global manufacturing business.
- Help develop, implement, and update internal policies, procedures, and training materials.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments relevant to the company's operations and communicate practical guidance to stakeholders.
Employment & Labour (Canada-Focused)
- Provide day-to-day legal support on Canadian employment and labour matters in coordination with HR, including hiring and termination, performance management, policies and handbooks, discipline, accommodations, and workplace investigations.
- Review and update employment agreements, contractor agreements, confidentiality and IP assignment agreements, and incentive/bonus plan documentation.
- Work with external labour and employment counsel as needed, particularly on complex or jurisdiction-specific issues.
Business Partnering & Education
- Act as a trusted advisor to sales, procurement, operations, finance, HR, and other functions, providing timely, pragmatic legal advice.
- Develop and deliver training to business teams on key legal topics (e.g., contract basics, competition law, anti-bribery, confidentiality, and IP protection).
- Support continuous improvement in how legal services are delivered across the organization, including through process improvements and use of technology and tools.
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Qualifications
- B. or J.D. degree from a recognized law school.
- Called to the Bar in a Canadian province, with a strong preference for licensure in Ontario and in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
- 5-8 years of post-call experience, with a focus on commercial contracts. A mix of top-tier law firm and in-house experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or similar environment is an asset.
- Strong experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements, ideally in a cross-border context.
- Experience with corporate/commercial, compliance, and employment law matters in Canada. Exposure to international legal issues (e.g., trade, sanctions, multi-jurisdictional contracts) is an asset.
- Experience working with manufacturing, supply chain, or industrial operations is strongly preferred but not strictly required.
Skills & Competencies
- Commercial mindset: Ability to balance legal risk with business objectives and propose practical, workable solutions.
- Clear communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain legal concepts in plain language to non-lawyers.
- Negotiation: Confident negotiator who can represent the company's interests constructively and collaboratively with counterparties.
- Judgment & ownership: Sound judgment, with the ability to assess risk, make recommendations, and take ownership of matters from start to finish.
- Organization & responsiveness: Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Collaboration: Proven ability to build strong working relationships across functions, levels, and geographies.
- Integrity: High ethical standards, discretion, and a strong commitment to confidentiality and compliance.
- Adaptability: Comfortable dealing with ambiguity, evolving business needs, and a wide range of legal issues.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to play a key role in building the in-house legal function for a fast-growing, globally active manufacturing business headquartered in Toronto.
- Exposure to a wide variety of commercial and corporate matters across multiple jurisdictions.
- Collaborative, team-oriented environment that values practical, business-focused legal advice.
- Competitive compensation package, including benefits and opportunities for professional development.
