Associate Counsel

Associate Counsel Job Description

Last Updated: June 2026. Notice to California Residents: Please review the California Employee and Applicant Privacy Policy prior to submitting your application.

About the Role

This is a rare in‑house opportunity for an experienced attorney to own a broad and substantive legal portfolio at a high‑growth consumer brand. You will work directly alongside the General Counsel as a senior member of a lean, high‑impact legal team with immediate visibility across the business and genuine ownership of the matters you handle.

You will touch nearly every function in the company, including Commercial, Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations, and more.

Job Responsibilities

• Commercial & Transactional
  • Draft, negotiate, and close commercial agreements (vendor, supplier, distribution, sponsorship, production, marketing, software, employment, etc.).
  • Contribute to contract templates, playbooks, and standard terms.
  • Help build scalable processes to move the business quickly while protecting it.
• Regulatory & Compliance
  • Lead or support design, implementation, and maintenance of compliance infrastructure.
  • Develop and administer compliance programs, policies, decision frameworks, and training.
  • Monitor and interpret regulatory developments, including TTB, FDA, and state alcohol regulations.
  • Oversee sweepstakes, promotional, coupon, and advertising programs in compliance with applicable law.
  • Represent the company with regulators and agencies.
• Corporate, Finance, & M&A
  • Draft and negotiate equity financing documents; manage securities compliance.
  • Draft and negotiate debt and credit facility documentation; manage lender relationships.
  • Support corporate governance, board matters, and member compliance.
  • Lead legal workstreams in M&A transactions, including due diligence and post‑close integration.
  • Contribute legal and risk analysis to strategic planning and business development.
• Employment & Human Resources
  • Advise on and resolve employment law matters, including hiring, terminations, investigations, accommodation requests, and wage & hour compliance.
  • Draft, update, and maintain employee handbooks, policies, and procedures.
  • Support equity compensation programs and 401(k) compliance.
  • Coordinate with outside counsel as warranted to ensure compliance across all states.
• Intellectual Property
  • Support and, where appropriate, lead protection and enforcement of the IP portfolio.
  • Manage trademark registration, maintenance, enforcement (domestic & international).
  • Advise on copyright, trade dress, and patent matters related to products and technology.
  • Review marketing creative for IP risk.
  • Defend against third‑party infringement claims and pursue enforcement.
• Data Privacy, Information Security & General Matters
  • Develop and maintain data privacy, information security, and consumer data policies.
  • Manage litigation and dispute resolution with outside counsel.
  • Proactively identify problems and deliver practical solutions.

Desired Experience & Traits

Who you are

• Lead from the front, identify problems early, and present clear solutions.
• Operate in high‑volume, fast‑shifting environments with systems to manage work without oversight.
• Keep the General Counsel informed proactively.
• Show business partner mindset, building confidence across marketing, sales, finance, HR, operations.
• Exhibit high integrity, low ego, and curiosity about the business.
• Take ownership seriously and operate with discretion.

Skills & Experience

• 6–10 years of legal experience, including at least 3–4 years in‑house at a sizable company.
• Experience in at least two or three of: commercial contracting, regulatory & compliance management, employment law, corporate finance & securities, intellectual property, or M&A.
• Technology fluency: legal technology, AI tools, contract management systems, standard enterprise software.
• Industry experience in beverages, alcohol, or broader CPG is a differentiator.
• Familiarity with TTB labeling and advertising, state alcohol regulatory frameworks, promotional compliance, distributor relationships.

Job Details

Location: Milford, CT brewery (in office, 4 days a week).

Salary: $175,000–$225,000 base salary plus performance bonuses.

Benefits

• Full health, vision, dental, life insurance.
• 401(k) with 5% company match.
• Paid parental leave.
• Paid volunteer days (12 per year).

Physical Demands

Work largely sitting, with walking, bending, stooping, lifting; may sit/stand for long periods; frequent interruptions; requires independent judgment and problem‑solving; prolonged exposure to computer screens.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal‑opportunity employer – we thrive when we champion diversity and inclusion. We welcome and support members of traditionally underrepresented communities.