JOB SUMMARY:

Serves as an integral member of our dynamic global legal department and legal counsel supporting our Europe, Middle East, and Africa region. Responsible for providing a broad array of legal advice, with a particular focus on EU commercial law and German labor law. Provides direct support to the United States-based Vice President/General Counsel in managing legal affairs of the Company as needed, with a particular focus on Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Works with outside counsel, including international counsel, on certain matters from time to time. Continues to promote the Legal Department’s image and values of being approachable, responsive, practical, transparent, and collaborative.
Job Model: Hybrid
All fully remote positions will require you to travel on site 2-4 times per month depending upon business needs at your own expense.
Hybrid positions will require employees to work both on-site and remote each week under a schedule that has been determined and agreed upon by you and your manager.
On-Site positions will require employees to work on-site for each of their scheduled shifts.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to drive matters independently.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and time management skills, including the ability to work cross-functionally to achieve Company goals.
• Effective problem-solving, decision-making, and process-improvement skills.
• Strong business acumen and customer focus.
• Strong forensic (investigative and risk assessment) instincts and skills.
• Ability to write effectively and persuasively in emails, policies, contracts, memoranda, and other written instruments.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally, both within and outside the Department and outside the Company.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Qualified German lawyer:
• Degree in law and successful completion of the appropriate first and second judicial state examinations in Germany.
• Registered with the appropriate bar to provide advice on German laws.
• 5 years related experience.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Understanding of computers and business systems.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Proficiency in additional languages (such as Italian, Polish, Czech, French, or Hungarian) is desirable but not required.

A.W. CHESTERTON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Chesterton is an equal opportunity employer M/F/V/D.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts legal research, drafts documents and conducts factual inquiries at the direction of the Vice President/General Counsel.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts with customers, distributors, suppliers, and/or vendors.
• Provides advice to Human Resources on German labor law questions. Working with outside counsel as appropriate, provides labor law support for other countries in the EU, Middle East, and Africa.
• Provides legal advice, drafts documents, and reviews materials related to or affecting marketing and sales, intellectual property, operations, information security, product development, real estate, corporate governance, or other and related matters as directed.
• Keeps current on legislative issues, decisions, and other important legal developments that may affect Company interests.
• Conducts internal investigations as needed.
• Serves as a key member of Chesterton’s Compliance Committee and liaison for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Region, advising on risks and driving risk mitigation initiatives.
• Provides support to Chesterton’s international affiliates, particularly those in the EU, working with international outside counsel as appropriate.

COMPLEXITY OF DUTIES:

• Issues handled are complex from a business and legal point of view.
• Work is both independent and collaborative with other functions.
• Work is reviewed in terms of meeting Legal Department and financial objectives.
• Substantial communication responsibilities both internally and externally. Contact with equivalent level inter-organizational managers and customer representatives.
• Full use and application of established legal theories, concepts and techniques.
• Knowledge of contract formation and negotiation skills, working knowledge of domestic and international legal trends.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to drive matters independently.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and time management skills, including the ability to work cross-functionally to achieve Company goals.
• Effective problem-solving, decision-making, and process-improvement skills.
• Strong business acumen and customer focus.
• Strong forensic (investigative and risk assessment) instincts and skills.
• Ability to write effectively and persuasively in emails, policies, contracts, memoranda, and other written instruments.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally, both within and outside the Department and outside the Company