Legal Specialist

Legal Specialist

CJ America Bio, Chicago

Full-Time or Part-Time (Availability Required for Extensive Work from May through August), Exempt

CJ America Bio is seeking a dynamic Legal Specialist to oversee legal affairs related to business projects within the biotechnology industry. This role will focus on providing legal counsel and support for business projects, ensuring that legal requirements are met throughout various phases, including due diligence, contract negotiations, and post-deal execution. This position can be either full-time or part-time. The position is based in Illinois, and the candidate must be licensed to practice law in Illinois or in the process of obtaining their license. The ideal candidate will have global experience, with the ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in both English and Korean. The Legal Specialist will collaborate closely with business leaders, project keyholders, and, when necessary, corporate counsel on strategic initiatives and high-priority business projects.

Key Responsibilities :

• Business Project Legal Support : Provide legal counsel and oversight for business projects across various departments. Collaborate with business leaders and project stakeholders to ensure all legal aspects of these projects are aligned with corporate goals and industry regulations.
• Due Diligence : Conduct thorough legal due diligence to assess risks, opportunities, and compliance in connection with business projects and potential partnerships. Analyze data, documents, and terms to help guide strategic decisions.
• Contract Negotiation & Drafting : Negotiate, draft, review, and revise complex contracts related to business projects and strategic initiatives, including partnership arrangements, corporate transactions, and other agreements that support business objectives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration : Work closely with internal project teams, business leaders, and key stakeholders, offering legal advice on new business opportunities, international projects, and compliance with applicable laws.
• Corporate Transactions & Strategic Initiatives : Assist in providing legal support for corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic deals, ensuring legal frameworks are sound and aligned with business strategies.
• Compliance & Governance : Ensure compliance with corporate governance, regulatory requirements, and industry-specific laws across all business project activities. Provide legal support for governance matters, including corporate recordkeeping and resolution preparation.
• Global Coordination : Manage coordination across various international teams, particularly in South Korea, the US, and Central and South America, with a special focus on Brazil. Ensure legal alignment on business projects and cross-border initiatives, addressing unique legal and regulatory challenges in these regions.
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution : Assist in managing litigation matters and resolving disputes related to business projects, corporate transactions, and partnerships.
• Reporting & Communication : Prepare and deliver reports on legal matters related to business projects, ensuring clear and effective communication in both English and Korean. Maintain ongoing engagement with affiliates in Korea and other global counterparts.
• Ongoing Legal Support : After the formation of joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions, collaborate with corporate counsel and provide ongoing legal support to ensure compliance, address legal issues, and manage disputes related to these initiatives.
• Other Duties : Take on additional legal responsibilities related to business projects, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic initiatives as assigned.

Requirements :

Proven ability to manage and execute business projects, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and legal transactions.