Assistant General Counsel

The Assistant General Counsel provides legal and regulatory support across all areas of the company's premium cigar business. The role serves as a trusted advisor to business leaders on commercial, regulatory, compliance, employment, litigation, and operational matters while helping ensure compliance with the complex legal framework governing tobacco products.

In this role the Assistant General Counsel works collaboratively with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Human Resources, and Executive Leadership to identify risks, develop practical solutions, and support business growth. The position also assists the General Counsel in managing the company's legal and compliance programs and serves as a key liaison with outside counsel, regulators, and industry associations.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance

• Provide legal advice regarding federal, state, and local laws affecting premium cigars and other tobacco products.
• Support compliance with FDA tobacco regulations, product registration requirements, labeling obligations, and marketing restrictions.
• Review advertising, promotional campaigns, sponsorships, retail programs, sweepstakes, contests, events, and social media initiatives.
• Advise on tobacco licensing requirements applicable to manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and online sales activities.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting the premium cigar industry and communicate implications to business leaders.
• Assist with regulatory inspections, inquiries, audits, warning letters, and enforcement matters.
• Support implementation of compliance policies, procedures, controls, and training programs.
• Conduct compliance reviews and investigations involving potential regulatory or ethical issues.

Commercial Contracting

• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including:
• Distribution agreements
• Wholesale agreements
• Retail agreements
• Manufacturing agreements
• Supply and procurement agreements
• Marketing and sponsorship agreements
• Consulting agreements
• Technology and software agreements
• NDAs and confidentiality agreements
• Advise business stakeholders regarding contractual rights, obligations, and risk mitigation strategies.

Marketing and Promotional Compliance

• Review consumer-facing and trade-facing advertising and promotional materials including product packaging.
• Advise on state and federal requirements related to marketing, trade promotions, sweepstakes, product giveaways, and event activation programs.
• Counsel Sales and Marketing teams regarding age-gating, consumer communications, product claims, and promotional restrictions.

Employment and Labor Matters

• Partner with Human Resources on:
• Employee relations matters
• Workplace investigations
• Performance management
• Disciplinary actions
• Reductions in force
• Accommodations and leave issues
• Draft and review employment agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, policies, and handbook provisions.

Litigation and Risk Management

• Assist in managing litigation, disputes, and pre-litigation claims.
• Coordinate with outside counsel and monitor legal spend.
• Collect and manage evidence, legal holds, and internal investigations.
• Support insurance claims and risk-management initiatives.

Corporate Governance

• Assist with corporate governance activities and corporate record maintenance.
• Support board and committee meetings, resolutions, and corporate filings.
• Assist with subsidiary management and organizational compliance matters.

Supply Chain Support

• Advise on import/export matters affecting tobacco products and accessories.
• Support customs and sanctions compliance.
• Assist with OFAC compliance initiatives.

Compliance Training and Awareness

• Develop and deliver training on:
• Cigar regulatory compliance
• Code of Conduct requirements
• Marketing compliance
• Employment law fundamentals
• Other duties as assigned

Core Competencies

Legal Expertise

• Strong legal analysis and research skills.
• Excellent contract drafting and negotiation abilities.
• Sound judgment and practical problem-solving skills.

Compliance Leadership

• Ability to identify and mitigate regulatory risks.
• Strong knowledge of corporate compliance frameworks.
• Ability to design and implement compliance processes.

Business Partnership

• Commercially minded and solutions-oriented.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive compliance without impeding business objectives.

Organizational Effectiveness

• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

Qualifications

Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one state bar.

Experience

• 5–10 years of legal experience.
• Experience in-house, law firm, or combination preferred.
• Experience supporting highly regulated industries strongly preferred, including tobacco, alcohol beverage, cannabis, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or consumer products.
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Experience advising on regulatory and compliance matters.

Preferred Experience

• Premium cigar, tobacco, nicotine, alcohol beverage, or other consumer product industry experience.
• FDA regulatory experience.
• State tobacco licensing and taxation experience.
• Employment law counseling experience.

Working Conditions: Typical office working conditions; position may also involve exposure to a smoking environment.

Physical Requirements: Light physical activity. Occasionally required to lift or move objects weighing less than 10 lbs.