Sherwin-Williams

Senior Counsel

Sherwin-Williams$125K — $150K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
  • Active license to practice law in at least one US jurisdiction.
  • 7+ years of legal experience, particularly in commercial contracts.
  • Strong communication and writing skills, especially in formal document drafting.
  • Excellent analytical, organizational, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as primary legal commercial counsel for assigned industrial business units.
  • Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements.
  • Identify legal risks and implement solutions to support business growth.
  • Provide guidance on regulatory risks and develop compliance training programs.
  • Support mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions through legal due diligence.

Benefits

  • Eligible for performance-based bonuses.
  • Mentorship opportunities for junior legal staff.
  • Access to legal technology and resources for professional development.
Full Job Description
Responsibilities

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

1. Commercial Legal Advisor for Certain Industrial Business Units:
  • Serve as initial US legal commercial counsel for assigned industrial business units.
  • Develop a deep understanding of business strategy, commercial objectives, products, customers, and operating risks.
  • Provide proactive, practical, and business-focused legal advice to business leaders.
  • Participate in business planning initiatives and strategic projects, as applicable.
  • Identify legal risks and develop solutions that enable business growth while protecting company interests.

2. Commercial Contracting and Strategic Business Support:
  • Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements.
  • Develop contracting strategies that balance business objectives and legal risk.
  • Advise management regarding contractual disputes and pre-litigation claims.
  • Drive continuous improvement of contracting processes, playbooks, templates, legal technologies, and other legal operations initiatives to enhance efficiency and business responsiveness.

3. Risk Management, Compliance, and Governance:
  • Identify emerging legal, regulatory, and operational risks affecting supported businesses.
  • Provide guidance regarding antitrust laws affecting commercial operations and acquisition activities.
  • Assist with development and implementation of antitrust compliance programs and training initiatives.
  • Conduct legal research and develop practical solutions to manage legal and business issues.

4. Corporate Transactions, and Mergers & Acquisitions:
  • As assigned, support Corporate Strategy and Development on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, minority investments, and other strategic transactions.
  • Draft, negotiate, and review confidentiality agreements, letters of intent, purchase agreements, disclosure schedules, transition services agreements, and related transaction documents.
  • Manage and coordinate legal due diligence activities.
  • Support business leaders, finance, tax, environmental, employment, compliance, intellectual property, treasury, and other subject matter experts throughout transactions.
  • Assist with transaction structuring, signing, closing, integration planning, and post-closing matters.
  • Assist support on merger control and antitrust regulatory review processes, including Hart-Scott-Rodino filings, foreign competition law filings, agency inquiries, second requests and responses to regulatory authorities.
  • Manage external legal transaction counsel, as applicable.

5. Strategic Business Partnership:
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership teams of assigned business units.
  • Provide timely legal guidance regarding corporate planning, strategic initiatives and operational decisions.
  • Communicate complex legal concepts in a practical and understandable manner.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support business objectives and promote efficient decision making.
  • Develop an in-depth understanding of supported businesses' markets, competitive dynamics, products, sales channels, customers and strategic objectives.

6. Leadership and Professional Excellence:
  • Manage outside counsel in an effective and cost-conscious manner.
  • Lead or support legal department operational excellence projects.
  • Mentor junior attorneys, law clerks, paralegals, and legal staff as appropriate.
  • Promote a culture of integrity, compliance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Stay abreast of relevant legal developments.
  • Drive continuous improvement in contract lifecycle management, legal technology utilization, automation, knowledge management and legal service delivery processes.

This role will report to Sherwin-Williams Global Headquarters located at 1 Sherwin Way, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA

This position is also eligible for bonus based on performance and subject to the terms of the Company's applicable plans.

Job duties include contact with other employees and access confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company's staff, employees, and business relationships.

Qualifications

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Required:
  • Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
  • Active license to practice law in at least one US jurisdiction.
  • 7+ years of legal experience.
  • Significant experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts.
  • Strong work ethic, the ability to act independently and adapt to changing priorities.
  • Demonstrated ability to provide practical business focused legal advice.
  • Strong communication and writing skills, in particular related to formal document drafting.
  • PC skills; Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); and other applications as required.
  • General working knowledge of legal software.
  • Excellent analytical, organizational and project management skills.
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must have the legal right to work in the country of employment without needing sponsorship now or in the future for employment visa status.

Preferred:
  • Experience supporting industrial or manufacturing businesses.
  • Experience with domestic and international M&A transactions.
  • Experience advising on antitrust and competition law matters including merger review, distribution practices, pricing issues, joint ventures, and compliance programs.
  • Prior in-house experience.
  • 10+ years of legal experience.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: (TIME SPENT AWAY FROM HOME OR OTHER TYPICAL OFFICE LOCATION)
  • 5-10%

About Sherwin-Williams

The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coatings, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. It operates in three segments: Paint Stores, Consumer, and Global. The Paint Stores segment sells paint, coatings, and related products to end-use customers. This segment markets and sells Sherwin-Williams branded architectural paints and coatings, industrial and marine products, and original equipment manufacturer product finishes and related items.

Sherwin-Williams Careers

Join the vibrant team at Sherwin-Williams, a leader in the paint and coatings industry, and contribute to a legacy of innovation and leadership. As a company committed to growth and excellence, Sherwin-Williams offers unparalleled job opportunities for professionals eager to advance their careers in a dynamic and supportive environment. Work You’ll Do At Sherwin-Williams, we empower our team to bring their creativity and expertise to various roles, driving transformative results across the business landscape. Our commitment to professional growth and diversity training ensures that every team member can thrive. Lead in a Culture of Innovation Sherwin-Williams stands at the forefront of the coatings industry, blending tradition with advanced technology. Our culture is built on a foundation of innovation, leadership, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Join us and lead the way in developing new solutions that impact markets globally. Engage with a Global Team Collaborate with over 60,000 dedicated professionals worldwide who are as passionate about materials science as they are about creating beautiful and durable finishes. At Sherwin-Williams, you’ll work alongside industry experts and leaders who are pioneering new paths in the coatings sector. Sherwin-Williams Careers and Employment Opportunities We are continuously expanding our team and looking for talented individuals who are ready to paint the world with us. From research and development to marketing and sales, the career paths at Sherwin-Williams are as diverse as our product lines. Do Innovative Work Engage in projects that challenge the status quo and contribute to sustainability and efficiency in the industry. Our team at Sherwin-Williams harnesses the power of cutting-edge technology and collective expertise to lead the market in innovation and quality. Be Part of a Great Team Sherwin-Williams is not just a workplace. It is a community where you can build lasting relationships through professional networking and collaborative team efforts. Our inclusive environment supports diversity and is designed to help you reach your full potential. Future-Proof Your Career With a wide array of benefits, continuous training programs, and a focus on internal growth and promotions, Sherwin-Williams is committed to helping you shape a long and successful career. Whether you are looking for a full-time position, an internship, or leadership roles, the opportunities are vast. Explore Job Opportunities and Internships Start your professional journey with Sherwin-Williams by exploring various employment and internship opportunities that match your skills and interests. We are hiring creative, curious, and motivated individuals ready to make a significant impact. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions, submit your resume, and prepare for your interview with us. At Sherwin-Williams, we look for individuals who are solution-driven and ready to contribute to our culture of innovation and excellence. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Job Alert Emails Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Sherwin-Williams. Join Sherwin-Williams today and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and a diverse and inclusive workplace. Your future starts here!
Learn more about Sherwin-Williams
Size
61,626 employees
Market Cap
$61.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$2 billion
Founded
1866
5 Year Trend
+11%
Revenue
$18.3 billion
NASDAQ

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