Job DescriptionWorthington Steel is seeking a business-minded Senior Legal Counsel to join its Legal Department. Reporting to the Assistant General Counsel, this role will serve as a trusted legal advisor to business leaders across the organization, providing practical, risk-based legal counsel that supports the Company's strategic and operational objectives.
The successful candidate will primarily support the Company's commercial contracting activities, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and advising on a broad range of commercial agreements. This individual will collaborate closely with teams across Sales, Purchasing, Information Technology, Finance, Human Resources, and other functions to develop practical solutions that appropriately balance legal risk with business objectives. The role also offers opportunities to support strategic initiatives, regulatory matters, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and other special projects.
Primary Responsibilities- Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a broad range of commercial agreements, including customer and supplier agreements, information technology and SaaS agreements, software licensing, professional services agreements, NDAs, and other commercial transactions.
- Advise internal stakeholders on commercial contract terms involving data privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, intellectual property, confidentiality, and related legal and business risks.
- Provide timely, practical legal advice that enables business teams to make informed decisions while appropriately managing legal and commercial risk.
- Partner closely with business leaders to understand operational objectives and develop creative, solution-oriented legal strategies.
- Interpret and advise on applicable laws, regulations, and emerging legal developments affecting the Company's business and commercial operations.
- Develop, improve, and maintain contract templates, playbooks, policies, and legal processes that enhance efficiency and consistency.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support strategic business initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
- Assist with dispute prevention and resolution, including advising business partners on contractual rights, obligations, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Support corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions, and other strategic legal matters, as needed.
- Manage outside counsel on assigned matters when appropriate.
- Promote a culture of integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement consistent with Worthington Steel's values.
Required Qualifications- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
- Active license to practice law in Ohio.
- Five to seven years of relevant legal experience at a law firm, in-house legal department, or a combination of both.
- Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
- Experience advising clients or business partners on commercial legal issues, including technology transactions, data privacy, cybersecurity, and related regulatory considerations.
- Strong legal research, analytical, negotiation, and written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to independently manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while exercising sound business judgment.
- Proven ability to build trusted relationships and effectively collaborate with cross-functional business teams.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, or publicly traded companies.
- Experience with AI-related contracting and governance, including commercial contracting involving artificial intelligence technologies.
- Familiarity with U.S. privacy laws and data protection frameworks.
- Experience supporting mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, or other corporate transactions.
- Experience developing contract templates, negotiation playbooks, or legal operations improvements.
