Corporate Counsel

Why Ace?

At Ace Hardware, our legal team works closely with business partners across the organization to provide practical legal guidance that helps move the business forward while managing risk appropriately. As Corporate Counsel, you'll support a variety of commercial, operational, and strategic matters throughout the company. This role offers the opportunity to work across multiple areas of the business, including commercial transactions, marketing, franchise operations, licensing, and other corporate initiatives. Whether you're already working in-house or coming from a law firm environment, you'll join a collaborative team where you'll continue developing your skills while supporting work that has a direct impact on the business.

What You'll Do

As Corporate Counsel, you will:

• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide variety of commercial agreements, including NDAs, vendor, services, technology, marketing, and procurement contracts.
• Partner with business leaders to provide practical legal guidance on day-to-day operations and business initiatives.
• Identify legal and business risks and help develop solutions that support business objectives.
• Advise internal stakeholders on procurement, marketing, advertising, promotions, licensing, and franchise-related matters.
• Support franchise operations, including matters related to franchise disclosure documents and franchise compliance.
• Assist with corporate transactions, strategic projects, and other growth initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions as opportunities arise.
• Support the resolution of commercial disputes and other business-related legal matters.
• Collaborate with outside counsel when specialized expertise is needed.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of contract templates, processes, and best practices.
• Perform special assignments or projects as assigned
• Build strong working relationships across the organization and serve as a legal resource to business teams.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an attorney who enjoys solving problems, working collaboratively, and building strong business relationships. We're looking for someone with commercial contracting experience and a strong foundation who is eager to learn, broaden their expertise, and grow their career with Ace.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, or a combination of both.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• Sound judgment and the ability to provide practical, risk-balanced legal advice.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting commercial transactions, procurement, technology, marketing, or business operations matters.
• Experience supporting multi-state operations
• Experience working with franchise and licensing, is a plus but not required.
• Prior in-house experience is a plus but not required.

Growth at Ace

This role offers opportunity for growth and development within Ace's legal organization. Seeking candidates looking to grow their legal careers but possess strong commercial contracting skills, sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and the potential to take on increasing responsibility over time. For the right candidate, this position can serve as a foundation for future advancement within the legal department, including progression to more senior counsel roles as experience and expertise grow.

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