The General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer of the company, responsible for overseeing all legal, regulatory, and compliance matters. In a small NASDAQ-listed company, this role is both strategic and hands-on, providing practical legal guidance to executive leadership, business teams and the Board of Directors. This position is a key member of the leadership team and reports directly to the CEO, playing a critical role in shaping company strategy, governance, and risk management and is based in our Benbrook, TX headquarters.
ABOUT TANDY LEATHER
Tandy Leather Factory, Inc. (http://www.tandyleather.com), now headquartered in a brand new facility in Benbrook, TX (just outside Fort Worth), is the largest specialty retailer and a go-to resource for generations of leather workers. Our broad product line includes leather, leatherworking tools, buckles and adornments, leather dyes and finishes, saddle and tack hardware, and do-it-yourself kits; we also provide classes and other teaching resources. An institution in the Fort Worth area since 1919, Tandy Leather distributes its products through its 100+ retail stores located in 40 US states, 6 Canadian provinces, and one in Spain (from which we ship our products throughout Europe). As a century-old brand, Tandy has a deep respect for tradition, but we also embrace change, new trends, and new ways to create. From store to distribution center to corporate, Team Tandy works collaboratively every day to ensure our customer's experience is always consistent no matter how they choose to shop at Tandy.
Human Resources Legal- Lead internal investigations, including employee-related and whistleblower matters
- Provide legal guidance on employment law, including hiring, terminations, and employee relations
- Advise on compensation, equity plans, and benefits programs
- Draft, review and maintain employee policies
- Consult on other HR matters
- Develop and maintain company-wide compliance programs, including workplace policies and codes of conduct
- Monitor evolving regulatory requirements impacting a publicly traded company with both domestic and international operations
- Identify and mitigate legal risks across the organization
- Manage litigation, disputes, external counsel, and legal budget
Commercial, Legal Advisory & Strategic Transactions
- Act as a strategic business partner to the leadership team
- Provide commercially-focused legal advice to support business strategy and revenue growth
- Structure, draft, review and negotiate complex commercial agreements (vendor, partnership, leases, independent contractors, NDAs, etc.)
- Balance legal risk with business objectives in a pragmatic, solutions-oriented manner
- Advise on corporate transactions, including M&A, financings, and strategic partnerships
- Oversee intellectual property portfolio management and protection strategy
- Ensure compliance with SEC and stock exchange regulations, including periodic filings (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, Proxy Statement)
- Oversee insider trading and other governance policies and disclosure controls
- Advise the Board of Directors and leadership team on governance best practices
- Work closely with the Board and its committees; (Audit, Compensation and Nominating/Governance)
- Serve as Company Secretary, leading preparation for Board, committee and stockholders meetings, including agendas, minutes and other materials
QUALIFICATIONS
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Active bar membership in good standing (Texas preferred)
- 8+ years of legal experience, including significant in-house legal experience (public company experience preferred)
- Demonstrated experience advising senior executives and Boards of Directors
- Proven commercial acumen and experience supporting business growth initiatives
- Experience with employment law and HR-related legal matters
- Experience in a retail or consumer-facing company is a strong plus
- Strong knowledge of U.S. securities laws and public company compliance (Preferred)
KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Strong business judgment and commercial mindset
- Ability to operate in a lean, fast-paced environment
- Executive presence and ability to engage effectively with the Board
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- High ethical standards and integrity
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Competitive compensation – strong pay for performance culture
- Regular Incentive Bonus Programs (cash plus equity) – based on performance and productivity
- Paid Holidays – 10 paid holidays available on day one of employment
- Paid Time Off – unlimited, beginning at 60 days of employment
- Comprehensive health care coverage options: medical, dental, vision plus life and disability insurance
- 401(k) Plan – company matched
- Employee discounts on our products
We consider all qualified applicants for employment.
To learn more about Tandy Leather, please visit our website: www.tandyleather.com.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
At Tandy, our diversity is our strength, and we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace for all employees regardless of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. Tandy is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer.
Skills Required
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Active bar membership in good standing
- 8+ years of legal experience, including significant in-house legal experience
- Experience advising senior executives and Boards of Directors
- Commercial acumen and experience supporting business growth initiatives
- Experience with employment law and HR-related legal matters
- Experience in a retail or consumer-facing company
- Strong knowledge of U.S. securities laws and public company compliance
- Texas bar membership
- Public company experience
What We Do
Since 1919 Tandy has been the resource for generations of leatherworkers, providing quality leather, tools, kits, and instructional resources worldwide. As a century-old brand, we have a deep respect for tradition, but also embrace change, new trends, and new ways to create. From store to distribution center to the corporate office, Team Tandy works collaboratively every day to ensure our customer’s experience is always consistent no matter how they choose to shop at Tandy. Leathercrafting is, at its core, about self-expression. Our message to our customers, Make Your Mark, reflects our commitment to individuality, without judgment. We’re here to be the best leather supplier we can be, so our customers can continue to make their next creation, grow their business, or pursue their passion. We also know that we can do more to make Tandy a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for everyone, and we remain dedicated to making that happen.
