Legal Counsel, North America

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James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie®, Timber Tech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and Stru Xure®.

With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally. Powered by a dynamic workforce, we’re united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All™ through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.

Must live in Chicago - Hybrid work environment with Chicago office presence of minimum 3 days/week

The Legal Counsel will assist the legal team in supporting regional (North America – US & Canada, Europe, APAC) businesses with legal matters. The Legal Counsel will work under Assistant General Counsel, North America, with additional guidance by senior legal counsel, and will engage with many different company clients in varying situations.

The department goal is to protect the interests of the company’s shareholders and company assets, to facilitate the company’s business interests, and to overcome legal and regulatory challenges in a hypercompetitive and dynamic industry. The goal for each team member is not just to be a legal resource but also a trusted advisor to the business.

• Act as a legal resource and a trusted advisor to the business
• Review and draft legal agreements and documents for assigned clients under the supervision and direction of senior counsel
• Assist with conducting products litigation, including organization, review and preparation of discovery materials and interacting with outside counsel
• Review and advise clients on all forms of information and documents to be published to the public by the company for consistency with company intellectual property and products, including marketing materials, advertisements, press releases, informational materials, warranties, product literature, websites, and the like
• Advise business in environmental, social, governance and sustainability matters and participate in Sustainability / ESG global practice group
• Assist team in maintaining legislation and regulation tracking and developing various reporting
• Represent the legal function in various internal company projects
• Perform various legal administrative tasks as part of the Legal & Compliance Department including review of outside counsel billing, preparation of filings and reports for clients and the company, attending various company presentations and events
• Assist in identifying and protecting intellectual property generated by company research organizations as well as manufacturing units
• Develop familiarity with processes and procedures designed to protect trade secrets; offer guidance to R&D personnel and others in the company
• Proactively shares information or resources with others to further their success and that of the overall organization

• Minimum of four years of experience as outside counsel or inhouse counsel is required, preferably in a corporate manufacturing environment
• Experienced with contract and document review/drafting required
• Licensed to practice law in one of the 50 states with ability to waive into Illinois bar required (North America)
• Prior experience reviewing and advising on marketing materials, advertisements, press releases, informational materials, warranties, product literature, websites, and the like, including proper trademarks and attribution statements considered a plus

Preferred skills:

• Knowledgeable about relevant law and civil litigation procedures
• Basic knowledge of trademark laws and trade secret laws
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills resulting in audience engagement, understanding, and retention
• Professional demeanor with a high level of integrity
• Demonstrated ability to influence and gain commitment across different interpersonal styles
• Ability to develop and maintain effective…