Director and Managing Counsel, Litigation

Your Opportunity as the Director and Managing Counsel, Litigation  

The Director, Litigation manages non-employment litigation and claims.  The position also provides various business units with strategic advice and legal counsel regarding legal issues. 

Location: Working Remote USA or Hybrid Work arrangements available

In this role you will:

• Manage non-employment litigation which includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Create legal strategies for litigation matters consistent with the Company’s risk tolerance, business objectives, available resources, values and culture

  • Manage discovery obligations and responses by collaborating with litigation support staff to provide outside counsel with potentially relevant documents and witnesses for litigation matters

  • Manage tracking of pending litigation matters, case status, and potential exposure

  • Represent the Company in mediations, depositions, and court, as needed

  • Value cases and design strategy to effectively mitigate risk while aligning with business goals

  • Liaison with and manage outside counsel

• Provide legal advice and counsel to internal stakeholders

• Maintain budget compliance through consistent management of outside counsel legal fees and litigation costs

• Negotiate and manage responses to third-party subpoenas

• Manage bankruptcy and other creditor/debtor claims, asbestos, transportation claims, and other general litigation matters 

• Provide additional assistance and engage in projects as requested by the Chief Legal Officer and/or Vice President, Litigation

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• Law Degree from an accredited law school

• License to practice law in at least one state and a member in good standing

• 10+ years practicing law as an attorney with an emphasis on commercial litigation

• Experience representing food or consumer packaged goods companies

• Experience defending class action litigation

• Experience with document intensive litigation matters, including active experience with e-discovery

• Confidence and ability to make difficult decisions and take decisive action resulting in effective outcomes that support both legal and business goals  

• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with Company employees including executives

• Ability to effectively establish, initiate, and direct legal strategy in a business environment

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role (not required):

• Trial experience

• Working knowledge of regulatory law

• Working knowledge of corporate finance

Learn more about working at Smucker:

• Our Total Rewards Benefits Program

• Our Thriving Together Philosophy Supporting All Impacted by Our Business 

• Our Continued Progress on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity 

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