Associate Counsel

Detailed Description:

Responsible for handling a variety of regional legal matters and projects in various practice areas (e.g., commercial law, contracts, employment law, regulatory/compliance) under the general direction of senior counsel. Participates on regional project teams and cross-functional groups on legal and compliance matters across the CALA region. Collaborates with business leaders and cross-functional teams to effectively mitigate commercial risks and support corporate strategies and business objectives across Latin America. Provides legal support to various business departments, including real estate, operations, transportation, and other areas as needed. Develops expertise in relevant legal practice areas throughout Latin America, with a focus on Colombian law, and provides counsel related to those areas to business clients. Provides practical and actionable advice to management on legal matters, including developments and changes in laws and regulations in Colombia and the broader CALA region. Negotiates, drafts, and reviews legal documents and agreements to accomplish business objectives and serves as a legal advocate for the company with external constituents in the region. Assists senior counsel with compliance matters and provides ongoing support to business clients on applicable local and international regulations.

Job requirements:

(Required Education)

☒ Law Degree from a Colombian or recognized Latin American university required.

☐ Postgraduate degree in a relevant legal area preferred.

☒ Licenses/Certificates/Designations - Active tarjeta profesional required. Admission to practice in other CALA jurisdictions is a plus.

☒ Other – Excellent academic credentials required.

(Required Experience/Indicate # of Years)

• 2 years required, up to 5 years preferred, of experience in a law firm or in-house legal department. In-house experience at a multinational company is strongly preferred.
• Up to 5 years of experience as a practicing attorney with developing expertise in relevant practice areas such as commercial law, contracts, employment law, or regulatory/compliance.
• Up to 5 years of experience in legal document drafting, review, and negotiations.

(Required Skills/Indicate # of Years)

• Strong negotiation skills, with ability to work across multiple jurisdictions in the CALA region.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including drafting legal contracts and documents.
• Responsible, accountable, client-focused person who showcases department well (e.g., responsive, knowledgeable, professional, timely) and integrates well into the larger organization.
• Good business acumen, provides creative and practical solutions to problems.
• Adept at communicating in layman’s terms and delivering alternatives and solutions in clear, concise manner.
• Self-starter, highly motivated, adaptable, flexible, and manages multiple projects and competing priorities with willingness to get their hands dirty (e.g., roll up sleeves and do the heavy lifting).
• Good at recognizing an issue, inquisitive, asks right questions and makes extra effort.
• Good business partner.
• Team player; works well with a regional team across multiple geographies.
• Curious, willing to learn new areas and skills.
• Excellent legal research skills
• Full professional fluency in Spanish and English required (bilingual).
• Technologically proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Indicate the approximate amount of travel this job will require

☒ None

☐ 0% - 25%

☐ 25% - 50%

☐ 50% - 75%

☐ 75% - 100%

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

(Check any that are Relevant)

☒ General Office – Work is generally performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment. Lighting and temperature are adequate and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Check any that are Relevant)

☒ Work is generally sedentary in nature, but may require standing and walking for up to 10% of the time.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Check any that are Relevant)

☒ Employee required to organize and coordinate schedules.

☒ Employee required to analyze and interpret complex data.

☒ Employee required to problem-solve.

☒ Employee required to communicate with the public.

☒ Employee required to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external counsel.