Corporate Counsel

Corporate Counsel

The Corporate Counsel is responsible for providing legal advice and support on employment matters, commercial contracts, contract disputes, and litigation involving RIDE's commercial vehicle business.

The position reviews and negotiates commercial agreements, manages employment-related claims and disputes, advises on contractual and operational risks, and supports litigation and compliance matters under the oversight of senior legal leadership.

The Corporate Counsel works closely with Human Resources, Sales, Operations, and other departments to provide practical legal solutions that support business objectives while protecting the company's interests.

Key Responsibilities

• Employment Matters: Manages employment-related claims, disputes, and litigation. Advises Human Resources and management on employee relations, workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, terminations, and compliance with employment laws.
• Commercial Contracts: Reviews, drafts, and negotiates commercial agreements, including EV, PV, and ESS equipment sales or lease agreements, public procurement contracts, service agreements, supply agreements, power purchase agreements, vendor agreements, facility lease agreements, consulting agreements, SaaS agreements, and other business contracts.
• Contract Disputes: Manages post-contract disputes involving customers, vendors, and business partners, including contract performance, delivery issues, warranties, damages, and other contractual claims.
• Litigation Management: Coordinates with outside counsel on employment litigation and other assigned legal proceedings. Supports litigation strategy, discovery, document preservation, settlement negotiations, and case management.
• Legal Risk & Compliance: Reviews contractual and operational matters for legal and commercial risks. Advises business teams on applicable laws, contractual obligations, company policies, and compliance requirements.
• Business Support: Provides day-to-day legal guidance to Human Resources, Sales, Operations, and other departments. Researches legal issues and develops practical solutions to business challenges.
• Outside Counsel Management: Serves as a liaison between the company and outside counsel. Coordinates case strategy, monitors litigation progress and legal expenses, and supports the efficient resolution of legal matters.
• General Legal Support: Assists senior legal leadership with litigation, compliance, policy development, and other legal projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in the California State Bar.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant legal experience, preferably in employment law, commercial contracts, or litigation.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Experience managing employment-related claims, disputes, or litigation.
• Strong legal research, analytical, drafting, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple legal matters, work across departments, and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong communication skills and a practical, business-oriented approach to legal problem-solving.
• Valid driver's license and ability to drive to company facilities, customer locations, and other business sites as needed.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including overnight travel, as required by business needs.
• Exceptional proficiency in spoken and written English, with the ability to communicate clearly, fluently, and persuasively in complex legal negotiations, business discussions, and professional settings, utilizing superior advocacy skills to consistently achieve favorable outcomes for the company.
• Exceptional legal writing, drafting, and negotiation skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and persuasive legal documents and negotiate favorable commercial outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior in-house counsel experience or relevant law firm experience.
• Experience in the automotive, manufacturing, transportation, or industrial sectors.
• Familiarity with government procurement contracts and commercial disputes.
• Experience coordinating with and managing outside counsel.

RIDE is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, religious creed, physical disability, mental disability, age, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment.