We are seeking to fill a Legal Counsel - North America (NAM) role that will support our North American businesses by providing high-quality, pragmatic legal advice and will report to the Senior Legal Counsel NAM. In this role, you will be a trusted legal business partner for regional stakeholders. The role is designed to build broad in-house legal experience across commercial contracting, dispute resolution, operations, and compliance.
You will have significant exposure to senior business leaders, cross-functional teams, and complex international matters, within a supportive environment focused on professional growth and development. This is a hybrid role that will be based in Lenexa, KS.
Key Responsibilities:Legal Support & Business Partnership- Act as a legal point of contact for business colleagues (including sales, procurement, finance, operations, HR), providing day-to-day legal support and advice.
- Attend leadership and project meetings to understand business priorities, risks, and decision-making processes.
Commercial Contracting- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including but not limited to: NDAs and MTAs (globally), supply and purchase agreements, distribution and agency agreements, and consulting and service agreements.
- Assist in contract risk assessment and ensure alignment with Corbion's policies, playbooks, and approval processes.
- Partner with IP colleagues to help protect Corbion's intellectual property in commercial agreements, including drafting IP-related contractual provisions.
Disputes, Litigation & Risk- Support litigation and dispute matters in partnership with the Senior Legal Counsel NAM including information and document collection, stakeholder coordination, and review of draft pleadings and correspondence from external counsel.
- Partner with business teams to address commercial disputes involving suppliers, vendors, and contractors.
- Assist manufacturing sites with responses to regulatory or agency inquiries and inspections (e.g., OSHA).
Projects, CapEx & Transactions- Support legal aspects of capital expenditure (CapEx) projects across North America, including contract review and negotiation support.
- Contribute to mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic or transactional projects across the region, in partnership with the Senior Legal Counsel NAM and Global M&A Counsel.
Compliance, Employment & Governance - Partner with HR colleagues on early-stage employment-related matters, such as internal investigations, evidence preservation (in coordination with IT), and issue-spotting.
- Support the delivery of legal and compliance training to business colleagues across North America.
- Maintain and improve legal templates, policies, and standard documents.
- Assist with business registrations and liaison with registered agent vendors.
- Partner with Finance on insurance-related matters, annual reporting inputs, and related activities.
Qualifications & Experience:- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
- Active license to practice law in Kansas, or ability to obtain Kansas licensure within one year through reciprocity or under a single-employer restricted license.
- 3+ years of relevant legal experience, gained in a law firm and/or an in-house legal department
- Foundational experience in commercial contracting, litigation, and/or transactional matters.
- Basic understanding of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and competition/antitrust concepts.
- Exceptional legal drafting and analytical skills, with attention to detail.
- Collaborative, approachable, and service-oriented working style.
- Ability to communicate clearly and pragmatically with non-legal stakeholders.
- Organized and reliable, with the ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines.
- Comfortable with legal technology and digital tools, including Office 365 and contract management systems.
- Willingness and ability to travel occasionally, both domestically and internationally.
