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:

• Education: JD (Juris Doctor) degree from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials, or currently in the final year of law school with plans to sit for the bar exam shortly after graduation.
• Licensing: Must be admitted to practice law in Illinois or be in the process of obtaining licensure. The candidate must pass the Illinois bar exam within one year of completing law school.
• Experience: 3-5 years of legal practice, with a minimum of 1 year as in-house counsel. Internships or other practical legal experience, particularly related to business projects, corporate transactions, joint ventures, or mergers and acquisitions, will also be considered if still in school.
• Specialty: A specialty or emphasis in corporate law is highly desirable.
• Skills:
  • Proven ability to manage and execute business projects, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and legal transactions.
  • Strong due diligence experience, including evaluating risks and opportunities related to business projects, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions.
  • Excellent negotiation, drafting, and contract management skills.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills in both English and Korean.
  • Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
  • Strong problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities.
  • Understanding of joint venture and merger/acquisition procedures and processes; able to provide legal support post-formation in collaboration with corporate counsel.
  • Ability to handle complex legal issues with a global perspective.