Senior Counsel – Commercial/Transactional

Sumitomo Electric U.S.A. Holdings, Inc. • Detroit, MI

14d • Hybrid

About The Position

Sumitomo Electric U.S.A. Holdings, Inc. (SEUHO) seeks a sophisticated and experienced attorney to fill the position of Senior Counsel in SEUHO’s Legal Department, which oversees all legal and compliance issues for the Sumitomo Electric group companies operating in North and South America.
The Senior Counsel’s primary responsibilities will be to provide corporate and commercial legal services to SEUHO’s largest U.S.-based affiliate, Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Inc. (SEWS), which is a major global manufacturer and seller of automotive wire harnesses and related products. SEWS and its subsidiaries have more than 30 locations and approximately 35,000 employees in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The Senior Counsel will be responsible for corporate and commercial matters, with a focus on contract drafting and review, including master service agreements, supplier agreements, information technology agreements (including licenses), non-disclosure agreements and other similar agreements.
The Senior Counsel may also work with other Sumitomo Electric Group companies in North and South America that design, manufacture, and sell a wide variety of electric components, electrical wires and cables, industrial materials, information and communication devices, and cutting-edge energy storage. The Sumitomo Electric Group companies are subsidiaries of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., which is a publicly-traded company on the Tokyo stock exchange and is a Fortune Global 1,000 company.
In addition to their practice experience, strong candidates will possess exceptional communication skills, an ability to work in a collegial, business-centered environment, and an intrinsic interest in learning new areas of law. Located at the SEWS facility in Farmington Hills, Michigan, this position is designated as a hybrid position, generally contributing from both the office and work from home locations. The Senior Counsel will report directly to the SEUHO Assistant General Counsel located at the SEWS facility in Farmington Hills, Michigan and to the General Counsel of the Americas.

Requirements

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and membership in good standing with at least one state bar
• At least 3 years, preferably 3-5 years, of relevant general corporate and transactional legal experience, preferably including experience in a law firm
• Experience with actively drafting and negotiating contracts
• Ability to build relationships and work closely with business stakeholders to understand their business processes, applications, and technologies
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, sophisticated, and congenial work environment
• Ability to work with business and legal contacts, both in the U.S. and abroad
• Ability to work variable hours and travel, as needed, to both domestic and international locations
• Previous experience in a corporate law department of a foreign-based global manufacturing company would be a plus

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the automotive industry, including familiarity with the automotive supply chain and automotive industry contracting practices, would be plus
• Japanese, Spanish, and/or Portuguese language capability not required, but a plus

Responsibilities

• Provide corporate and commercial legal services to SEUHO’s largest U.S.-based affiliate, Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Inc. (SEWS)
• Responsible for corporate and commercial matters, with a focus on contract drafting and review, including master service agreements, supplier agreements, information technology agreements (including licenses), non-disclosure agreements and other similar agreements.
• Work with other Sumitomo Electric Group companies in North and South America that design, manufacture, and sell a wide variety of electric components, electrical wires and cables, industrial materials, information and communication devices, and cutting-edge energy storage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree