General Counsel

Dead River Company is seeking a Vice President & General Counsel to join our leadership team.

Dead River Company delivers energy and peace of mind to customers throughout Northern New England and New York with over 1,600 employees and a commitment to our core values of integrity, caring, and excellence. We are searching for a talented leader to be our Vice President & General Counsel.

Position Summary:

As a key contributor to the Company’s leadership team, the primary responsibility of this role is to maintain legal compliance and manage risks by providing solution-oriented legal guidance. This role will report directly to the Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer. The successful candidate will work cross-functionally addressing legal matters pertaining to governance and transactional initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Legal Strategy and Leadership: Provide solutions-oriented legal advice and guidance to executive leadership on complex legal matters.
• Transactional Expertise: Provide strategic legal counsel to protect the company's interests in contractual relationships. Review, negotiate, and finalize complex contracts, agreements, and transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and joint ventures.
• Employment Law: Assist in addressing complex employee relations issues and advise Human Resources on appropriate resolutions. Stay updated on developments in employment law and related regulations to provide timely and accurate legal advice.
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution: Manage and oversee litigation and dispute resolution processes, including working closely with external legal counsel when necessary. Develop litigation strategies that align with the company's objectives and minimize legal risks. Collaborate with external legal counsel in litigation, including drafting legal documents, managing discovery, and providing legal strategy.
• Intellectual Property and Licensing: Manage the protection and enforcement of the company's intellectual property assets, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights. Provide guidance on IP licensing, infringement, and enforcement matters.
• Government and Stakeholder Relations: Stay informed about evolving legal and regulatory developments that impact the company's operations and industry by building and maintaining relationships with external legal partners, regulatory agencies, legislative bodies, industry associations, and other stakeholders.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

• A Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA – accredited law school, and Maine state bar membership in good standing.
• Experience with corporate acquisitions or on either the lessor/developer or lessee side of real estate transactions is preferred.
• Experience working in employment law, intellectual property law, or corporate governance is a plus.
• An individual who will thrive in a fast-paced environment and is comfortable being part of a business undergoing significant growth and change.
• An individual who is approachable, trustworthy, and dependable, with exceptional interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Interest in a collaborative, intellectually stimulating environment with an ardent desire to contribute to the growth and success of our company.

Experience:

This position requires 10 years’ experience in practicing law. The ideal candidate is experienced in managing multiple acquisitions through all phases of the acquisition process and/or has considerable experience in practicing employment law. Industry experience is a plus but is not required.

Other Attributes Required:

• Demonstrates Dead River Company’s core leadership competencies.
• Business and financial acumen
• Strategic agility
• Dealing with ambiguity
• Problem solving
• Lead and manage cross functional teams
• Drive for results
• Executive communication
• Integrity and trust
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills
• Investigative technique skills

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