Corporate Counsel

Unit Description:
Sodexo is seeking a mid- to senior-level Corporate Counsel to join our Corporate Legal Department’s Commercial Litigation Team. This role will be responsible for managing cases that are part of the Company's nationwide litigation docket and advising internal clients on business-related disputes that are currently in or have the potential for litigation.  This role will also manage bankruptcy (mostly Chapter 11/creditors’ rights) matters.

 

We offer a Hybrid Work Arrangement (combination of office/remote) based out of

our North America headquarters in North Bethesda, Maryland.

 

This role will work closely with other members of the Legal Department (including attorneys from different practice groups, contract specialists, and paralegals), other Transversal teams within the Company (including Finance, Risk and Insurance Management, Human Resources, and Communications), and internal business teams comprising the various business segments that we support (including Healthcare, Seniors, Campus, Schools, Corporate Services, Energy & Resources, Government/Defense, and SodexoLive).

We are looking for a business-minded attorney who can hit the ground running as a member of a high-performing legal team.  The ideal candidate will have a minimum of four (4) years of substantive experience handling a broad range of business-related litigation.  While bankruptcy experience would be a plus, it is not a prerequisite. We are willing to train the right candidate.

About Sodexo

Thanks to our 412,000 employees, Sodexo provides catering, facilities management, employee benefits and personal home services to 100 million consumers daily in 56 countries. At Sodexo we believe in the difference a day makes. That’s why we are proud to focus on people’s essential needs: we see them as key to improve the quality of life. We know that by focusing on the tangible, the real, the concrete improvements, day after day, for millions of people, we have a big impact not only on individuals but also on society and the planet. We believe it all starts with the everyday.

 

Technical Duties and Responsibilities:

 

Provide advice and counseling to internal clients on a broad range of business-related litigation matters and issues to meet business needs while containing risk.

Manage independent caseload of nationwide complex commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters.

Support day-to-day litigation case management (e.g., discovery requests, litigation holds, insurance, budgeting, indemnification requests, case monitoring, third-party subpoena responses).

Coordinate with outside counsel and key internal stakeholders on the handling of litigation and bankruptcy matters to achieve business objectives.

Conduct case investigations, including witness interviews, document review, and legal research, to advise on the feasibility of litigation and to identify potential risks.

Oversee work performed by legal paraprofessionals who assist with varied types of litigation responsibilities and projects.

Prepare quarterly reports on all formal commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters.

Advise business segments and internal/external auditors on potentially high exposure liability claims.

Coordinate and work in conjunction with other attorneys in the Legal Department as needed to address issues.

Respond to attorney-demand letters and, where appropriate, negotiate settlements of claims.

Assist in development of internal policies and procedures.

Advise on ways to adjust to and manage exposure to new or increased legal risks.

Conduct internal training.

Provide periodic updates to clients on significant developments in the law.

 

Requirements:

 

JD degree and active membership in at least one state bar.

4-10 years of relevant business-related litigation experience (private practice, in-house, or combination thereof).

Experience with e-discovery and document review technology platforms.

Strong desire to learn the Company’s business and to function integrally as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Ability to deal effectively with individuals at all organizational levels.

Ability to translate complex legal issues to business partners.

A can-do, no job is too small, team player attitude.

Experience with matter management systems.

Strong research skills.

Excellent analytical and organizational skills.

High degree of independent judgment and responsibility.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Demonstrated experience in negotiations and legal drafting.

Sound and practical legal judgment, intellectual creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing demands.

Sodexo offers a full array of benefits including paid time off, holidays, medical, dental, vision, 401K, and access to ongoing training and development programs, tuition reimbursement, plus health and wellness programs.

 

Not the job for you?
At Sodexo, we offer positions that support a variety of career goals working in diverse business segments, including Corporate Headquarters, Corporate, Schools, Universities, Government and Agencies, Healthcare, Senior Living, and Sports and Leisure locations across the United States. .

Working for Sodexo:
How far will your ambition, talent, and dedication take you? Sodexo fosters a culture committed to the growth of individuals through continuous learning, mentoring, and career growth opportunities.

 

#LIHybrid

 

 

What We Offer:
Sodexo offers fair and equitable compensation, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. While the budgeted range for the position is posted, Sodexo salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education and training.

Qualifications & Requirements:
Basic Education Requirement - Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or LL.M. (Master of Laws)
Basic Functional Experience - 7 years of experience as a practicing attorney

Sodexo is an EEO/AA/Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran employer.

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