Senior Legal Counsel II

Job Description:

JOB OVERVIEW

Highly motivated and practical attorney with transactional contract and commercial law experience needed for dynamic and innovative fleet leasing and fleet management company. Senior Counsel II will play a key role in the organization and will have responsibility for drafting and negotiating client and vendor agreements and other ancillary agreements, advising the business on several types of substantive legal matters, managing compliance and litigation matters and assisting with dispute resolution. This is a legal generalist position with primary responsibility for preparing, reviewing and negotiating various commercial and transactional vehicle lease and maintenance agreements, vendor support agreements, and other business-related agreements, as well as working collaboratively across the business to achieve the Company's goals. The Senior Counsel II is part of an energetic and dynamic legal team that plays a substantial role in the success of the business. The legal team is strongly committed to the Company’s Core Values of Integrity, Customer Success, One Team and Innovation.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Negotiates and finalizes critical agreements with both customers and suppliers.

• Provides legal advice and counseling on a range of legal and commercial matters.

• Collaboratively partners with other members of the business to achieve the Company's goals.

• Engages daily in issue spotting, risk assessment, and problem solving daily.

• Partners with other departments to assist in educating the business on contractual and compliance-related matters.

• Litigation management and dispute resolution

• Some real estate, bankruptcy, intellectual property, and finance-related legal work

• Direct management of legal support staff, including paralegals and contract managers.

• Participates in the definition and development of corporate policies, procedures, and programs.

• Assists senior management with evaluating risks within the business and with respect to specific transactions.

• Works with internal operational and product groups to design and implement internal processes, coordinate delivery of legal services, and assist in the development of new products.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Number of Direct Reports: 1-2

Number of Indirect Reports

Budget/PNL Responsibility

Leadership Responsibilities Strategy

• Direct management of legal support staff, including paralegals and contract managers

COMPETENCIES - SKILLS

• Exceptional judgment and range. The successful candidate will excel at quickly analyzing complex legal and business issues in a wide range of substantive areas.

• Highly organized, self-motivated, and self-directed. A successful candidate will “own” his or her responsibilities and ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. He or she will also be able to work efficiently, under pressure, with varying degrees of supervision, and manage projects with competing deadlines.

• Collaborative and a team player that is willing to go the extra mile when necessary.

• Fun, friendly, positive and engaging personality. The successful candidate understands and appreciates the meaning and value of customer service.

• The successful candidate understands and appreciates the meaning and value of customer service.

• Wants to learn and grow in a demanding environment and is open (and desires) feedback.

• Outstanding analytical, advocacy and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to advise and influence senior executives and professionals from diverse areas of the business.

• Superior writing and oral communication skills, adaptive to and effective for different audiences.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• J.D. from accredited U.S. law school

• Must have a minimum of nine (9) years of relevant legal experience both in-house and at a large/medium law firm.

• Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, State of Georgia or licensed in a different US state but authorized to practice law in Illinois and/or Georgia.

• Management experience.

• Preferred:

• Experience in motor vehicle leasing and/or equipment leasing.

• Generalist experience in other legal areas, including finance, labor and employment, real estate, and bankruptcy.

• Litigation management experience

• Experience with a Contract Management System

• Experience with an ebilling system.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work Environment: This position is preferred to be based out of our Des Plaines or Schaumburg, Illinois offices and operates in a professional office environment.

Positions Type/Standard Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday, with 3 in office days.

Travel: This position might require minimal travel

Physical Demands: Speak, hear, and see, and to use hand and fingers for computer keyboard and phone. Sit or stand for extended periods of time. Reach above head to pull paper attachments.

DISCLAIMER

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO Statement
 Wheels is a Drug-Free Workplace. All employment is contingent on successful completion of drug and background screening.
Wheels is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer and administers all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or domestic partnership status, disability, protected veteran status or military status, genetic information, or any other category protected under applicable law. Wheels is committed to taking affirmative steps to promote the employment and advancement of minorities, women, persons with disabilities and protected veterans.