Assistant General Counsel - Domestic Sales & Marketing

Assistant General Counsel

We're a family-owned company with a 90+ year legacy, that's consistently recognized as a Glassdoor 'Best Places to Work.' We have 130+ brands in our total alcohol beverage portfolio including wine, malt, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages. We're home to the #1 wine and spirits brands in the U.S. - Barefoot Wine & High Noon and are the official sponsors of the NFL, NHL, UFC, and PGA of America.

A Taste of What You'll Do

We are seeking an experienced, collaborative Assistant General Counsel to report to the Deputy General Counsel and partner with business leaders across domestic sales, marketing, regulatory, and government affairs. In this role you will focus on the spirits and malt categories, provide practical legal advice at all levels of management, and take ownership of diverse matters including distributor relationships, advertising and promotions contracts, marketing and sales compliance, and review of proposed legislative and regulatory changes affecting alcoholic beverages.

You will maintain and grow expertise in federal and state laws governing licensing, packaging, distribution, marketing, and sales so you can counsel business teams and support regulatory and compliance colleagues. Your day-to-day will include drafting and negotiating commercial agreements with advertising agencies, promotional partners, vendors and industry peers; advising on distributor relationships and disputes; managing regulatory inquiries and investigations; and coordinating and supervising outside counsel where appropriate. You will also contribute to acquisitions by reviewing alcohol licensing, contracts and compliance practices, and prepare analysis and guidance on proposed legal and regulatory developments.

You will design and deliver practical legal training for business personnel, lead and develop legal staff, and drive a culture of intrapreneurship and ownership—encouraging innovation, thoughtful risk-taking, candid discussion and accountability. A commitment to quality, environmental and safety regulatory compliance is essential, as is the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, business-focused advice.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. If you are a strategic, action-oriented lawyer with strong commercial instincts and experience in alcoholic beverage regulation, we'd love to hear how you can help shape compliant, creative business growth.

What You'll Need

• A Juris Doctorate plus 7 years of experience as a lawyer, to include advertising, promotions, and regulatory practice in the alcoholic beverage industry reflecting increasing levels of responsibility.
• California State Bar member.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and critical thinking skills and business acumen.
• Demonstrated flexibility and success working in a fast-paced, change oriented environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to lead as well as collaborate and function well in a team environment.
• Skilled at effectively organizing time to meet multiple deadlines.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to lead, as well as collaborate and function well in a team environment and to maintain a strong relationship with Supervisor, General Counsel, Company Management and outside service providers.
• Required to travel when necessary.
• Required to travel to company offices, sites, and/or meeting locations for onboarding, training, meetings, and events for development, department needs, and business delivery up to 5% of the time, with or without reasonable accommodation. This may be in addition to travel requirements, if applicable, as listed in this job description.
• Required to be 18 years or older. This may be in addition to other age requirements, if applicable, as listed in this job description.

How You'll Stand Out

• A Juris Doctorate plus 8 years of experience as a lawyer with at least 3 years of in-house counsel experience substantially in relevant legal areas, to include alcohol beverage regulatory practice, general business and transactional practice, complex contracts and litigation experience reflecting increasing levels of responsibility.
• Strong academic record in law school, preferably from leading law school.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Willing to relocate primary residence to California (East Bay, Modesto, Sacramento), or Dallas, TX area.
• Ability to provide hands-on counsel to all levels of management, including executive management.
• Ability to identify and analyze legal issues, draft key documents, present clear recommendations, and guide legal compliance.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to lead as well as collaborate and function well in a team environment.
• Self-motivated and efficient, with good business judgment. Forward-thinking and creative, with the confidence to present and advocate for the implementation of ideas.
• Knowledge of alcohol and beverage regulatory laws specifically with experience in the Distilled Spirits and Malt Categories. Must be open to expanding knowledge and experience into new areas of law.