Sr Staff Attorney - GROWMARK, Inc. - Bloomington, IL

GROWMARK is an agricultural cooperative serving almost 400,000 customers across North America, providing agronomy, energy, facility engineering and construction, and logistics products and services, as well as grain marketing and risk management services. Headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by its member cooperatives. GROWMARK also owns and operates SEEDWAY, the largest full-line seed company in the United States. More information is available at growmark.com.

See what it's like to work at GROWMARK: https://youtu.be/CSVMnKCySsY

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY STATEMENT

Under the direction of the Executive Vice President, General Counsel in the GROWMARK General Counsel’s Division (the “GCD”), provides legal advice and various legal services to GROWMARK, its subsidiaries, and its affiliates.

SUPERVISION AND LEADERSHIP

Supervises, leads, and develops the Legal Assistant. Provides leadership, guidance, and coaching to less experienced team members in GCD.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Provides legal advice on a variety of legal matters, either directly to internal clients or in support of senior attorneys.

Advises HR on employment law compliance by interpreting and applying federal and state employment laws to company policies and practices, ensuring adherence to regulations like ADA, FMLA, and Title VII. 

Drafts and reviews employment documents by creating and revising employment contracts, employee handbooks, performance improvement plans, and termination documents. 

Investigates employee complaints by conducting thorough investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment, or other workplace misconduct. 

Manages employment litigation by representing the company in employment-related lawsuits, including pre-trial discovery and litigation strategy. 

Provides training to HR staff by educating HR professionals on key employment law updates, best practices, and legal risks associated with various HR decisions. 

Consults with managers on employee issues by advising managers on handling disciplinary actions, performance issues, and employee terminations. 

Develops and implements HR policies by collaborating with HR to draft and update company policies related to hiring, compensation, benefits, leaves of absence, and employee conduct. 

Drafts, revises, reviews, and negotiates different types of contracts to facilitate the accomplishment of business needs and objectives.

Assists senior attorneys by providing legal research, analysis, and recommendations on a variety of legal issues. 

Assists senior attorneys by providing guidance regarding anticipating, identifying, and managing various legal risks. 

Supports and/or directs litigation and other potentially adversarial activities.

Assists senior attorneys with projects and transactions as assigned.

Supports the delivery of legal services by outside counsel.

Develops and maintains excellent working relationships with clients, outside resources, and other members of the GCD.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

May be assigned primary responsibility for one or more legal areas.

Represents GROWMARK in legal transactions, as appropriate.

Prepares, reviews, negotiates, and/or approves intellectual property matters pertaining to GROWMARK’s business operations.

Works with other members of the GCD to maintain complete and accessible information, records, and systems.

Represents the GCD in internal and external activities and groups as assigned.

Assists with GCD development of client training, support tools, policies, procedures and participates in and/or gives presentations.

Coordinates work with that of other GCD attorneys to avoid duplication and inconsistency in providing legal advice and legal services, and to ensure efficiency and cohesiveness within the GCD.

Participates in GCD activities including staff meetings and departmental projects.

Participates in GCD projects as assigned.

Responsible for encouraging, supporting, and promoting innovative practices, ideas, and technologies within the team.

Follows GROWMARK’s Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Program, Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA and DOT policies and procedures, as they apply.

Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Requires:

• A law degree from an accredited United States law school.
• A license to practice law in the United States, and retention of that license throughout employment with GROWMARK.
• Active membership in the state bar.
• Significant experience in employment law, preferably within a corporate setting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively advise HR and management.
• Ability to conduct legal research and analysis.
• Proven ability to manage complex legal issues and litigation. 

Prefers:

• 5 or more years of legal practice as a licensed attorney in the United States.
• A diverse legal background, including experience with contracts, business transactions, corporate matters, regulatory matters, employment law, and litigation.
• Basic understanding of GROWMARK structure and business segment operations

Demonstrates essential abilities including business knowledge, collaboration, communication, customer focus, decision making and skill development.

Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Proven communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Excellent organization, time management, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide high quality professional services in a fast-paced environment with multiple and conflicting priorities.

Attention to detail, with an outstanding work ethic and high personal standards of performance and integrity.

Demonstrated research, software, and computer skills and the ability to use technology to enhance research results and business processes.

Ability to relate to business managers, assess and understand their perspectives, and respond appropriately to their needs.

Must have and maintain a valid passport, and have the ability to travel independently, internationally, and overnight when necessary.

Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.

Must have the ability to work flexible and extended hours when necessary.

Ability and willingness to participate in required training that may include education on GROWMARK’s policies and procedures and additional training as it relates to the requirements of the position.

We are an equal opportunity employer, including protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. Employment may be contingent upon receipt of an acceptable and job-related background check, drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.