Legal Counsel

Job Summary:

Provides legal advice/consultation on issues concerning the rights, obligations and privileges of the organization. Represents the organization to customers, suppliers, competitors and government agencies. Provides resolution of business or technical issues by identifying legal solutions and recommending a course of action. Examines legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuits.

Lead, review, assist and provide guidance on all corporate contract matters, such as sales and supplier facing contracts, and some procurement and operational contracts.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Provide legal counsel to organization on day-to-day legal matters within designated subject matter area/business unit; may advise senior management on complex legal matters.

• Ensures the organization remains compliant with all local, state, federal, and industry regulations/guidelines.

• Recommend the most appropriate course of action, taking into consideration the interests of all relevant parties.

• Keep abreast of legal developments within designated subject matter area/business unit and assist in the design and implementation of appropriate processes and policies to ensure compliance

• Demonstrate a logical approach to addressing issues.

• Apply cost-benefit and risk analysis, offer alternatives to challenges and propose solutions to problems. Provide guidance and advice to sales, operations and management and liaises with other corporate functions, as to company preferred contractual terms.

• Effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, to address the relevant legal and business issues, while being concise and easy to understand for non-lawyers.

• Identify areas of legal, operational and commercial risk and make recommendations and suggestions for improvement, mitigation and management of those risks.

• Lead strategic projects and negotiate complex issues to achieve business objectives.

• Supervise outside counsel’s activities and budget.

• Contract Review: Responsible for reviewing a full range of customer, supplier, procurement and operational contracts utilizing customer, supplier and/or Avnet standard form terms and conditions, and related agreement such as non-disclosure agreements.

• Contract Negotiation: Lead contract negotiations with customers and suppliers.

• Policy Development & Implementation: Responsible for developing and improving supplier and customer contract templates, contracting policies, risk analysis forms and risk approval matrices to ensure consistent application in the review and negotiation of contracts

• Identifies improvement opportunities in existing contract management structure

• Keeps abreast of legal developments within designated subject matter area / business unit and assist in the design and implementation of appropriate process and policies to ensure compliance

• Training: Conducts contracts training for sales, marketing and operations personnel.

• Geographical scope: Asia Pacific with emphasis on Southeast Asia, Korea and ANZ region.

• Other duties as assigned

• Job Level Specifications:

• Extensive knowledge and application of principles, theories and concepts. Complete knowledge of all job functions and the broad industry best practices, techniques and standards.

• Develops solutions to complex problems where analysis of situations and/or data requires in-depth evaluation of variables. Determine best approach to achieve results and provide suggestions to improve policies and procedures.

• Work is performed independently and requires the exercise of judgment and discretion. Exercises considerable latitude in determining objectives and approaches to assignments. Work may be reviewed at a high-level.

• May represent the organization as a primary contact on assignments and/or projects. Interacts with senior professionals and management and frequently coordinates work between departments or organizations.

• Actions may impact the organization. Failure to accomplish work will result in the inability to reach crucial organizational goals. Erroneous decisions may have a prolonged effect resulting in the expenditure of substantial resources.

Work Experience:

• 4-7 years’ experience in contracts review/management

• Experience with a sales organization is preferred.

• Experience in electronic and/or distribution and/or technology business would be a plus

Education and Certification(s):

• Degree in law from reputable university. Called to the bar in a common law jurisdiction

Distinguishing Characteristics:

• Commercial Law: Understanding of business law, contract law, laws and regulations with respect to the sales of gods and related legal concepts, in a cross-jurisdictional context, including practical application in a business environment

• Analytical Skill and attention to details: Exceptional analytical skills (Particularly as to legal terminology and contractual provisions), close and consistent attention to details.

• Negotiation skills : Advanced level negotiation competency

• Organization ability and independence: Highly developed organization ability and time management skills. Able to operate independently and effectively in high-pressure, tight deadline situations.

• Communication and Interpersonal skills: Effective verbal and written communication skills (include presentation skills) and excellent interpersonal skills with multinational organization and multicultural environment. Effective communication (verbally or writing) to address relevant legal and business issues, while being concise and easy to understand for non-lawyers

• Customer service and teamwork: Strong commitment to customer service and ability to work well in a team oriented environment

• Ability in the Mandarin language would be advantageous

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills.