General Counsel

Job Title: General Counsel

Location: Chicago, IL

Employment Type: Full-Time | In-Office

Reporting To: Chief Executive

About the Company

A fast-scaling professional services organization with a U.S. and international footprint is seeking a strategic and execution-focused legal executive to lead its in-house legal function. The company serves a mission-driven client base with operations concentrated in the U.S. and Latin America and requires a legal leader with both hands-on capability and leadership acumen. Spanish fluency is a must.

This role will oversee risk, compliance, legal operations, and entity governance while managing legal staff across jurisdictions. The environment is fast-moving and entrepreneurial, ideal for someone who thrives on building systems while managing sensitive, high-stakes matters.

Primary Responsibilities

Governance, Compliance & Internal Policy

Lead all internal legal operations aligned to broader business strategy

Draft, implement, and maintain policies related to privacy, employment practices, corporate governance, and international compliance

Maintain oversight of corporate structures, contracts, policies, and internal frameworks

Deliver regular training and legal updates to leadership and operational teams

Risk, Oversight & Strategic Guidance

Identify exposure points and develop strategies to minimize legal, financial, and reputational risk

Respond to compliance issues and investigations in partnership with executive and operational leadership

Act as liaison for regulatory, enforcement, or audit interactions

Legal Advisory & Litigation Support

Coordinate dispute resolution strategy and collaborate with outside counsel

Provide guidance on employment, IP, contracts, and general commercial matters

Draft internal legal memos and prepare documentation for high-risk matters

Contracting & Business Transactions

Negotiate, revise, and manage commercial agreements with vendors, partners, and consultants

Supervise contract lifecycle and enforce standards for compliance and efficiency

Participate in vendor reviews, operational audits, and contract system oversight

Leadership & Team Oversight

Direct and mentor a small internal legal team distributed across the U.S. and Latin America

Establish communication structures to ensure seamless cross-border legal alignment

Contribute legal insights to executive meetings and strategic planning

JD from an accredited U.S. law school

Licensed to practice law in any U.S. state (preference for Washington)

Minimum 10 years of legal experience including in-house or firm-side exposure

Experience with regulated industries, data privacy, and cross-border corporate issues

Must be fluent in Spanish (oral and written)

Preferred Skills

Background managing international legal teams or working in a multinational structure

Confident handling litigation strategy and internal investigations

Detail-oriented with strong contract negotiation and policy development capabilities

High comfort level working with executive leadership and business operators

Skilled in legal research platforms (LexisNexis, Westlaw), cloud-based document systems, and business collaboration tools (Google Workspace, MS 365)

Compensation & Benefits

Highly competitive salary commensurate with experience

Full benefits package including healthcare, retirement, PTO, and continuing education support