Job SummaryACCO Brands is seeking a
Sr. Counsel, North America to join our dynamic legal team. This hybrid role is based in Lake Zurich, Illinois and reports directly to the Senior Vice President, General Counsel.
The Senior Counsel, North America serves as the lead legal business partner for the North America organization, providing practical, strategic, and risk-based legal counsel to commercial, product, marketing, sales, operations, and leadership teams.This role works closely with business leaders to identify risks, solve complex business challenges, support innovation, and enable profitable growth while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.
The successful candidate will provide leadership across a broad range of legal disciplines, including commercial contracting, marketing and advertising law, government contracting, competition law, intellectual property, product development, and general business operations. The role will act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and help foster a culture of compliance, integrity, and business partnership throughout the Americas region.
Responsibilities Legal Leadership & Business Partnership- Serve as the lead legal counsel for the North America business, providing strategic legal guidance to executive and functional leaders.
- Partner with business leaders to evaluate legal risks and opportunities associated with strategic initiatives, new products, commercial programs, and market expansion efforts.
- Manage outside counsel, legal budgets, and legal resources efficiently and effectively.
- Support cross-functional collaboration among Sales, Marketing, Product Development, Supply Chain, IT, Finance, HR, and Operations teams.
- Lead legal training and awareness programs throughout the North America organization.
- Develop and maintain legal policies, processes, and governance practices that support business objectives.
- Advise leadership on emerging legal, regulatory, and industry developments that may impact the business.
Commercial Contracting & Transactions- Provide legal support for customer agreements, amendments, assignments, novations, bid-related agreements, and commercial support.
- Draft, review, and negotiate sales representative agreements, vendor and supplier agreements, distribution agreements, and regional or global commercial arrangements.
- Advise on joint development, collaboration, partnership, licensing, and intellectual property agreements.
- Support marketing, sponsorship, promotion, endorsement, influencer, creative services, professional services, and statement of work agreements.
- Provide education and public sector bid/RFP support, in partnership with the legal operations team and paralegal support resources
Marketing, Advertising & Consumer Protection Law- Provide strategic legal support for advertising law compliance and claim substantiation.
- Advise on FTC compliance, product marketing review, promotional materials, comparative advertising, and pricing claims.
- Counsel on endorsement, influencer, affiliate, testimonial, and social media marketing compliance.
- Review sweepstakes, contests, rebates, and promotional campaigns.
- Advise on green, sustainability, environmental, and ESG-related claims and substantiation.
- Provide guidance on consumer protection, unfair trade practices, annual marketing subscriptions, and digital marketing compliance matters in coordination with the attorney responsible for privacy when appropriate.
- Create policies, guidelines, and best practices related to advertising and marketing compliance
U.S. Federal Government Contracting- Review and negotiate direct and indirect U.S. federal government contracts.
- Analyze FAR, DFARS, and customer flow-down requirements, including letters of supply and related government procurement documents.
- Advise on Trade Agreements Act compliance and similar government contracting requirements.
- Support annual SAM.gov registrations and certifications.
- Oversee compliance with Section 889, Section 5949, and other applicable sourcing restrictions.
- Monitor regulatory developments, executive orders, FAR updates, DFARS updates, and OFCCP requirements, and advise the business on potential impact.
- Advise business teams regarding government contracting risks and obligations.
Competition, Antitrust & Trade Practices- Provide counseling on antitrust and competition law compliance.
- Advise on pricing policies, pricing communications, reseller relationships, distributor relationships, exclusivity arrangements, and channel management structures
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
- Licensed and in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
- Ability to provide legal support across multiple U.S. jurisdictions
- Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible legal experience, including substantial in-house and/or major law firm experience.
- Experience supporting consumer products, manufacturing, retail, technology, or related industries strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated expertise in commercial transactions, marketing law, and business counseling.
- Experience supporting U.S. federal government contracting matters preferred.
- Experience advising senior executives and business leadership teams.
- Experience managing outside counsel and cross-functional projects
#LI-Hybrid
Salary Range: $185,000 - $250,000
What we offer:- Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision plans
- 4% 401(k) match with immediate eligibility and vesting
- Competitive time off, available from the first day of employment
- Parental leave
- Company-paid life and disability benefits
- Critical illness, accident, and long-term care insurance options
- Employee and family assistance programs
