Assistant General Counsel
Apogee Enterprises, Inc.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Full-Time
$220,000
OfficeAssociate
Position Summary
Assist in protecting the legal interests of Apogee and its Performance Surfaces Segment, with responsibility for providing legal support across a broad range of commercial, operational, and strategic matters. This role will support a growing business segment with domestic and international operations, including EMEA, and a mix of B2B and consumer-facing products. Responsible for identifying and analyzing legal issues, negotiating contracts, drafting key documents, and presenting clear recommendations to management. The role includes supporting international operations, advising on consumer product-related risks, managing intellectual property matters, and assisting with merger and acquisition activities and other growth initiatives. Manage all claims and litigation affecting Performance Surfaces, including lawsuits, contract disputes, record retention, and resolution process, including management of outside counsel. This position reports to the Apogee General Counsel (GC), with matrix reporting to the Performance Surfaces Segment President where this role will work with the segment leadership and team.
Responsibilities
The Assistant General Counsel will partner with the GC to determine goals and objectives for this position. The essential duties and responsibilities include:
Manage contract review process in reviewing and negotiating all contracts, including customer, supplier, distribution, licensing, marketing, and other commercial agreements, both domestic and international
Anticipate and guard against legal risks in commercial transactions and business operations and develop practical solutions consistent with business objectives
Create and manage contract templates, processes, and supporting tools
Provide appropriate legal counsel on a broad range of legal matters to the Performance Surfaces Segment, including commercial, operational, regulatory, compliance, and intellectual property matters
Serve as primary legal advisor to segment leadership and provide clear, practical legal recommendations
Support international operations, including advising on cross-border transactions, distribution arrangements, and coordination with outside counsel on local law requirements
Provide legal guidance on consumer-facing products, including product liability risk, advertising and marketing compliance, warranty frameworks, and related matters
Manage intellectual property matters for the Performance Surfaces Segment, including patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and other proprietary rights
Coordinate with outside counsel on patent prosecution, trademark registration and protection, and enforcement matters
Advise the business on protection of confidential information, trade secrets, branding, and product innovation
Manage claims and litigation involving the Performance Surfaces Segment, including lawsuits, customer and supplier disputes, and other claims
Retain and manage outside counsel as directed by General Counsel and manage claims handling strategy and case resolution
Assist in legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and other business development activities, including due diligence, transaction support, and integration efforts
Help to ensure ethical business practices and corporate compliance, including Apogee’s Code of Business Ethics and Conduct
Provide appropriate legal support to procurement, marketing, finance, HR, and other functional areas as needed
Provide training on applicable legal matters
Perform other legal-related duties as assigned by the General Counsel
Education and Skills Required
Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school, admitted to Minnesota State Bar, current license and in good standing to practice law in Minnesota. (If licensed elsewhere, must obtain Minnesota State license within 12 months.)
Minimum of 8-10 years of practice as an attorney either in private practice or in-house, including a minimum of five years of directly relevant work experience working with legal contracts and agreements, product defect, and/or warranty claims, and litigation.
Comprehensive knowledge of contract law and commercial transactions.
Ability to identify legal risks and provide practical, business-oriented solutions.
Demonstrated leadership skills, fostering support of company mission, strategies, and objectives.
Demonstrated experience being responsive and timely for requests/inquiries and internal/external customer needs.
Effective communication, interpersonal, and negotiating skills.
Effective reasoning ability, define problems, gather information, establish facts, conduct legal analysis, and draw valid conclusions to provide counsel on legal matters.
Experience resolving conflict between groups with opposing perspectives and agendas.
Knowledge of employment law and experience with employment matters preferred.
Experience managing litigation and outside counsel preferred.
Experience with international business transactions and cross-border legal matters preferred.
Experience with consumer product-related legal issues, including product liability and marketing compliance, preferred.
Experience supporting or leading merger and acquisition activities preferred.
Fluency or working proficiency in Spanish or German preferred.
Travel Requirements
Travel approximately 10-20%, including potential international travel
Salary Range: $220,000-$275,000
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Our Benefits
We care about and invest in our employees. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their well-being and foster professional development. Here is a glimpse of what you can look forward to if you join our team.
Competitive Benefits Package for employees and their dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability)
Incentive Plans
401(k) with employer contribution and match
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match
Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Time)
Paid Holidays
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Wellness Program
Training and Career Progression
Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer.