Overview of the Role
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with the executive leadership team, the General Counsel serves as a trusted advisor on a broad range of domestic and international legal matters. This role is responsible for managing all legal matters affecting the organization, including commercial transactions, litigation, intellectual property, labour and employment, real estate, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, risk management, and strategic business initiatives. The successful candidate will provide practical, business-focused legal advice while coordinating and overseeing external counsel across multiple jurisdictions.
Company Background
Lumentis is a recognized leader in automotive lighting, serving numerous customers globally. We are committed to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
https://lumentis-group.com/
Responsibilities:
General Corporate and Commercial
Serve as the primary legal advisor to executive leadership and business units. Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide range of commercial agreements, including:
- Customer agreements, including production development and supply contracts
- Supplier agreements, including terms and conditions of purchase, capital equipment and procurement contracts
- Tooling agreements
- Non-disclosure agreements
- Licensing agreements
- Distribution and logistics agreements
- Technology and software agreements
- Real estate and facility-related contracts
- Support strategic initiatives, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and corporate restructuring activities.
- Advise management on legal risks associated with commercial decisions and business operations.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
- Oversee all litigation, arbitration, mediation, and regulatory proceedings by, against or involving the business.
- Develop litigation strategies in partnership with external counsel.
- Oversee product warranty or recall claims.
- Provide regular updates to senior management regarding material legal risks and litigation exposure.
Intellectual Property
- Manage and protect the company’s global intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and proprietary technologies.
- Coordinate patent filings, prosecution, maintenance, and enforcement activities with external patent counsel.
- Advise engineering, manufacturing, and commercial teams regarding intellectual property protection and risk mitigation.
- Conduct freedom-to-operate assessments and support product development initiatives.
- Manage intellectual property disputes and licensing matters.
Labour and Employment
Provide legal advice on labour and employment matters across multiple jurisdictions.
Support Human Resources regarding:
- Employment agreements
- Workplace investigations
- Discipline and termination matters
- Human rights and accommodation issues
- Labour relations matters
- Collective bargaining support
- Workplace policies and procedures
Manage employment litigation and labour arbitrations through external counsel where required. Monitor developments in employment legislation and advise management on compliance requirements.
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
Develop and maintain legal and ethical compliance programs and policies.
Advise on compliance matters involving:
- Automotive industry regulations
- Competition and antitrust laws
- Privacy and data protection
- Environmental regulations
- Trade and customs compliance
- Anti-corruption and anti-bribery legislation
- Export controls and sanctions
Conduct compliance risk assessments and recommend mitigation strategies and support internal investigations and compliance reviews.
Corporate Governance
- Advise senior leadership on governance matters and fiduciary obligations.
- Assist with board and committee governance activities.
- Maintain corporate records and support legal entity management across multiple jurisdictions.
- Ensure compliance with applicable corporate and securities laws.
External Counsel Management
- Retain, direct, and manage external counsel across Canada, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, China, and other jurisdictions as required.
- Evaluate legal service providers and manage legal spend.
- Ensure consistent legal strategies and efficient use of external resources.
Required Qualifications
Education and Professional Credentials:
- Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB).
- Member in good standing of a Canadian provincial law society.
- Qualified to practice law in Canada.
Experience
- Minimum 10–15 years of progressive legal experience, including significant in-house and/or sophisticated private practice experience.
- Experience supporting manufacturing, automotive, industrial, or multinational organizations.
- Demonstrated expertise in commercial law, litigation management, labour and employment law, and intellectual property matters.
- Experience managing legal matters across multiple international jurisdictions.
- Familiarity with automotive OEM and Tier 1 supply environments is strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong commercial judgment and business acumen.
- Ability to provide practical, risk-based legal advice in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Excellent negotiation, drafting, and advocacy skills.
- Proven ability to independently manage a broad legal portfolio.
- Strong project management and organizational capabilities.
- Effective communicator capable of influencing senior executives and business leaders.
- Ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic thinker with a proactive and solution-oriented approach.
- High degree of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment.
- Comfortable operating as the sole in-house legal resource.[IP1]
- Capable of building strong relationships across all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrates accountability, resilience, and adaptability in a global business environment.
Travel
- Occasional travel may be required to support business operations, litigation, compliance initiatives, and strategic projects.
Work Environment
Hybrid (in-office and remote)
Equal Employment Opportunity
- The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable law.
Call-To-Action
- If you are ready to steer your career towards new horizons with Lumentis, we encourage you to bring your expertise onboard. Join us in shaping the future of automotive lighting solutions, your leadership can make a difference!
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Novi, MI 48375
