General Counsel

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the General Counsel will be a critically important and integral member of the executive leadership team and will provide legal advice and support for the executive leadership team and Board of Directors on a wide array of regulatory, compliance, and business matters. In addition, the General Counsel will be responsible for overseeing the management of customer and vendor contracts, strategically protecting intellectual property, as well as ensuring legal compliance in major corporate transactions and compliance with corporate governance.  

As a member of the executive leadership team, the General Counsel will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a work environment focused on quality and efficiency, that fosters learning, respect, open communication, collaboration, integration, and teamwork consistent with the Company's core values.

To ensure success the applicant needs to have sound knowledge and understanding of applicable laws and regulations, and the ability to make prudent legal decisions. Top candidates will be team players with outstanding advocacy and people skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee corporate legal matters, including corporate governance, board meetings, general securities matters, intellectual property, business development activities including licensing and acquisitions, financing, employment laws, litigations, regulatory, compliance, commercial, and privacy.
• Strategically manage the company's legal activities to minimize costs and risks for the business, developing efficient strategies for managing legal matters, including activities to be performed in-house or through third-party providers. Implement measures to reduce legal expenses while ensuring optimal legal protection for the business.
• Lead the drafting process for a variety of legal documents, including contracts, agreements, memoranda, policies, and other legal instruments ensuring clarity, accuracy, and compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Conduct regular comprehensive reviews of existing legal documents, identifying areas for improvement, updating language to reflect changes in laws or business practices, and revising documents as necessary to maintain legal compliance and effectiveness.
• Represent Fortera in interactions with regulatory authorities and other global agencies, as appropriate, that may affect the company's development and commercialization plans.
• Engage in the contract negotiation processes, working closely with external parties to achieve favorable outcomes while protecting the organization’s interests and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
• Contribute to the development of legal strategies and initiatives, leveraging your expertise in document drafting to support the achievement of organizational goals and objectives. Provide proactive legal guidance to support business decisions and mitigate risks effectively.
• Foster positive relationships with external legal counsel, regulatory authorities, and other relevant stakeholders. Advocate for the organization’s interests and facilitate effective communication and collaboration to advance business objectives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor degree from accredited law school plus bar admission in current good standing to the California Bar.
• 15+ years of experience practicing law, with a demonstrated focus on drafting and reviewing legal documents in a corporate or business environment.
• Strong understanding of contract law, corporate law, and relevant regulatory frameworks, with the ability to apply legal principles to real-world business scenarios.
• Excellent drafting and editing skills, with meticulous attention to detail and the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and effectively.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and collaborate effectively with colleagues at all levels of the organization.
• High ethical standards and a commitment to upholding the highest levels of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism in all aspects of work.
• Experience advising c-suite executives and board members on a variety of legal matters.
• Extensive experience in reviewing, interpreting, and advising on RFPs, term sheets, and PO’s particularly those involving EPC vendors.
• Prior track record of hiring, leading, and developing a team of legal professionals.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to think strategically and provide sound business judgement.
• Ability to steer a company through the process of going public with a successful IPO.

COMPENSATION:

The compensation package for this role includes a competitive base salary commensurate with experience of $250,000 - $300,000, well as an annual bonus and pre-IPO incentive stock options.

PERKS AND BENEFITS:

We know that happy employees are productive employees, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 100% company-funded Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability coverages for employees
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options
• Tax deferred & Roth 401k
• Paid vacation days (increased with tenure), 12 paid holidays, and unlimited PTO for exempt employees