12+ years of legal experience, preferably in-house.
Significant experience with commercial agreements.
Direct M&A due diligence and integration experience.
Exposure to international legal matters.
Experience managing outside counsel and budgets.
Proven ability to lead legal teams effectively.
Strong business acumen with practical advisory skills.
Responsibilities
Review, draft, and negotiate commercial contracts.
Develop contract templates and approval processes.
Provide business-oriented legal guidance to stakeholders.
Support M&A legal due diligence and integration activities.
Advise on employment issues and liaise with outside counsel.
Guide international operations on legal requirements.
Lead and develop a small legal team.
Benefits
Immediate benefits effective from the start of employment.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Company-paid life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
401(k) plan with a 5% company match, fully vested on Day 1.
Maternity, parental leave, and fertility benefits.
Full Job Description
We're looking for a Managing Counsel to be the senior legal voice inside a company that's growing through acquisition, expanding internationally, and betting big on its people. This isn't a back-office legal role. You'll sit at the table with Cooper's business leaders, own our commercial contracting engine, help shape our M&A strategy, and build a legal team you're proud to lead.
If you want a seat at the table instead of a seat outside the room, keep reading.
What You Will Do:
Serve as Cooper's primary legal resource for reviewing, drafting, and negotiating commercial contracts, including customer, vendor, and service agreements.
Build and maintain contract templates, playbooks, and approval processes that speed up turnaround and reduce risk across the business.
Provide practical, business-oriented guidance on contract risk, terms, and negotiation strategy to internal stakeholders.
Support legal due diligence for acquisitions and lead post-acquisition integration, including contract migration and policy alignment.
Advise on employment-related matters and coordinate with outside counsel as needed.
Guide Cooper's growing international operations on cross-border contracts and country-specific legal requirements.
Manage outside counsel relationships and budget in partnership with the CHRO across litigation, employment, M&A, and international matters.
Support legal due diligence for acquisitions, including review of contracts, corporate records, and identify and help mitigate legal risks arising from acquired businesses.
Partner with business leaders on post-acquisition integration, including contract migration, employee transition matters, and policy alignment.
Lead, coach, and develop a small legal team of attorneys and contract managers, setting clear priorities and growth goals, fostering a culture of responsiveness, accountability, and sound business judgment.
Partner closely with Commercial Counsel, business segment leaders, HR Business Partners, and Finance as a trusted advisor who turns legal risk into practical business guidance.
Represent Legal in cross-functional initiatives and business reviews.
Who You Are:
12+ years of legal experience, including significant in-house counsel experience.
Strong, demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements.
Direct experience supporting M&A due diligence and post-acquisition integration.
Exposure to international business matters, including cross-border contracts or multi-country legal compliance.
Experience managing outside counsel relationships and budgets across multiple legal specialties.
Experience managing or leading attorneys and/or contract management professionals.
Strong business judgment, with the ability to advise leaders practically, not just legally.
Active license to practice law; Texas bar admission preferred.
Preferred:
Prior law firm experience, with meaningful exposure to managing outside counsel or litigation matters.
Industrial background, with exposure to manufacturing and industrial services businesses.
A generalist mindset: comfortable advising across a broad range of legal matters and knowing when to bring in outside expertise.
A hands-on leadership style that balances strategic guidance with day-to-day execution.
Comfort operating in a fast-growing, acquisitive organization with evolving processes.
A strong communicator who builds trust and credibility with senior leaders.
Why Join Us:
Most benefits are effective on your first day of employment, no waiting period.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
