General Counsel

Our client is a growing, mission-driven healthcare distribution and manufacturing company that supplies medical equipment and supplies to government healthcare facilities. The organization partners with top-tier manufacturers and provides end-to-end support, from sales and logistics to contract management.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client is seeking a General Counsel to serve as the company’s in-house legal resource and trusted advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and senior leadership team. This newly created role reflects the company’s continued growth and increasing engagement with federal, state, and local government agencies. The successful candidate will bring substantive experience with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Defense, and/or other federal agency vendor contracts; experience gained in any industry is welcome, as it does not need to be specific to medical devices or medical supplies. The General Counsel will manage all legal matters affecting the company, including commercial contracting, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and risk management, while helping the organization navigate the complexities of government contracting as it expands in that space. They will also assist the owner with legal matters related to other business ventures. The ideal candidate has business litigation expertise, has worked in M&A and PE, and has either transitioned into government contracting or started in government contracting and transitioned into business.

This position reports directly to the Owner and Chief Executive Officer, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Chief Operating Officer and has one direct report.

JOB DEFINITION

The General Counsel is a hands‑on, business‑minded attorney who can operate independently as the company’s in‑house lawyer while knowing when and how to engage outside counsel for specialized matters. This individual must be equally comfortable drafting and negotiating commercial agreements and advising on the unique requirements of federal government contracting, including compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and related statutes and regulations. The ideal candidate is a pragmatic problem‑solver, an excellent communicator, and a credible advisor to the CEO and executive team; someone who can translate complex legal and regulatory issues into clear, actionable business guidance. What matters most is deep, hands‑on experience with federal, VA and/or DoD vendor contracts.

SKILLS

This position will serve as the company’s chief legal officer, overseeing all legal, contractual, compliance, and legal risk matters, with particular emphasis on the company’s federal, Veterans Administration and Department of Defense contracting relationships.

• Provide subject‑matter expertise on the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, the U.S. Department of Defense and/or other federal agency contracts, including compliance with FAR, DFARS, and related regulatory frameworks.
• Manage and maintain the company’s SBA federal small‑business certification and SAM.gov registration, including eligibility documentation, annual renewals and representations, and compliance with applicable federal contracting requirements.
• Manage the company’s Medical/Surgical Prive Vendor Program (MSPV), Distribution and Pricing Agreement (DAPA)and VA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts, including proposals, modifications, pricing and commercial sales practices disclosures, price reductions clause compliance, and contract renewals.
• Structure, draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including vendor, customer, supplier, and distribution contracts, applying the Uniform Commercial Code while providing hands‑on legal advice on negotiation strategy and contract risk mitigation.
• Advise the CEO and executive leadership on legal risk, corporate governance, and strategic transactions, while identifying and advising on the legal and business risks associated with new business opportunities.
• Ensure the company operates legally and ethically while meeting its business objectives.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and industry‑specific regulations, while tracking applicable agencies for new guidance and regulatory changes.
• Advise on contract enforcement, disputes, bid protests, terminations, and transitions.
• Lead and mentor the company’s legal staff and build out the legal function as the company grows.
• Serve as a key partner to sales, operations, and finance on contract terms, risk allocation, and deal structures, while developing and maintaining standard form agreements to streamline the contracting process.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and training to mitigate legal and regulatory risk across the company.
• Support M&A and joint venture activity, due diligence, and integration efforts as needed.
• Oversee the company’s corporate compliance and governance, including maintaining good standing in all jurisdictions, entity filings, annual reports, corporate records, minutes, and adherence to the company’s code of conduct and internal policies.
• Provide direct support on litigation, HR matters, manage outside counsel, auditors, and consultants, along with legal spending, across specialized matters (e.g., litigation, IP, employment).
• Draft and negotiate real estate contracts and leases.
• Oversee contract administration, document control, and the management of the company’s trademarks, patents, leases, and construction matters.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the company’s business, people, markets, facilities, customers, and competitors.

BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE

• 10+ years of legal experience, including significant experience with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Defense, and/or other federal agency vendor contracts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal government contracting regulations, including FAR and DFARS.
• Experience with GSA/VA Federal Supply Schedules and SBA small‑business certifications is highly desirable.
• Strong general commercial contract drafting and negotiation experience.
• Experience serving as sole or lead in‑house counsel, or significant autonomy within a small legal team, preferred.
• Experience working for/with C‑Suite and/or executive leadership
• Excellent judgment, business acumen, and the ability to counsel senior leadership on complex matters.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain legal and regulatory concepts to non‑legal audiences.
• Experience in manufacturing, distribution, or supply‑chain‑driven business is a plus.
• This is an on‑site role in Southeast Michigan with approximately 25% travel.

Education:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA‑accredited law school.
• An active bar license in good standing in Michigan is required. Florida licensure is a plus.
• An MBA or L.L.M. in Taxation is highly desired.