VP & General Counsel

CMA CGM•Norfolk, VA

12d•$197,000 - $256,000

About The Position

The Vice President and General Counsel is responsible for leading CMA CGM (America) LLC’s corporate strategic and tactical legal initiatives. This position works closely with the executive staff, management and operational personnel and has responsibility for all of the legal affairs for the shipping agencies of the CMA CGM Group in the U.S. and Canada, and the management of the company’s United States legal staff. The General Counsel will provide senior management with effective advice on company strategies and their implementation, manage the legal function, and obtain and oversee the work of outside counsel. The General Counsel will be directly involved in complex business transactions, negotiating critical contracts and general litigation. The position will also provide accurate and timely legal assessments of risk exposure, strategic value, and impact on business operations to enable the business to make the best decisions under rapidly changing circumstances.

Requirements

Knowledge of policies, procedures, and strategies used by departments within the Federal Maritime Commission, U.S. Homeland Security including U.S. Coast Guard and Customs & Border Control, and U.S. Justice Department and other Federal and State agencies.
Knowledge and understanding of pending legislation at State and Federal level affecting the transportation industry.
Familiarity with legal concepts, statutes, and regulations related to ocean carriage and admiralty;
Excellent advocacy and negotiating skills;
Strong interpersonal and management skills and ability to work with subordinates, contemporaries, and executive personnel.
Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent required; Licensed to practice law in at least one jurisdiction; licensed or eligible to become licensed to practice law as in-house counsel in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Minimum of 10 years combined experience in a law firm environment and/or in-house legal department. Demonstrable legal analytical skills, general business acumen and expertise in several of the core areas of work listed below: o contract review and management o employment law o corporate governance or o civil or commercial litigation.
Minimum of 5 years experience in transportation industry with a preference in marine operations.

Responsibilities

Provide legal advice and direction to CMA CGM shipping agencies in the United States and Canada.
Provide U.S. legal advice to foreign entities of the CMA CGM Group.
Serve as chief liaison on U.S legal matters with HO legal department, in particular on maritime claims.
Serve as lead lawyer/legal advisor on all major business transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures.
Participate in the definition and development of corporate policies, procedures and programs and provide continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and legal implications of all matters.
Evaluate the merits of court cases filed against or on behalf of the company, work with the appropriate executive(s) to define a strategic defense and recommend/approve settlements of disputes where warranted.
Assume ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the company conducts business in compliance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations.
Lead and manage the company’s U.S. legal function and staff, including contract review, corporate governance, litigation and claims functions.
Selection, retention, management and evaluation of all outside counsel.
Advise on legal aspects of the company’s financing, including assessing and advising on current and future business structures and legal entities:
General legal matters such as human resources legal support, corporate contracts, negotiation, documentation, bankruptcy, maritime law and general litigation matters.
Support for any and all North American legal projects or matters.