General Counsel

URUS is seeking a dynamic and experienced General Counsel to support its worldwide agriculture services biotech business. The General Counsel will work closely with executive leadership and will be a key contributor to the overall business strategy. This role will manage the legal support function across all geographies, ensuring a high level of service to internal and external stakeholders, while protecting the best interests of the company and its officers. Support areas will include, but not be limited to, contracts, intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, claims & disputes, employment matters, corporate governance, compliance, and risk management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise executive leadership and management team on a broad range of operational activities and business decisions.
• Negotiate, draft, and advise on key agreements and contracts.
• Advise and work alongside internal clients and stakeholders across all areas of the company regarding legal risks of various transactions and initiatives
• Ensure strict compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Stay abreast of regulatory changes and advise the company on necessary adjustments to maintain compliance.
• Work with the Company's M&A team in reviewing transaction opportunities and developing transaction terms.
• Manage the Company's outside counsel, seeking cost-effective representation on outsourced matters.
• Keep abreast of legislative changes that may affect the company and its affiliates.
• Perform pre-litigation work to minimize risks and maximize legal rights and advise on certain pre-litigation disputes, including answering and sending demand letters.
• Research unique legal issues impacting the organization by identifying applicable statutes, judicial decisions, and codes.
• Assist in preparation and review of project claims and variation requests, and project correspondence.
• Provide training to company and its affiliates on substantive legal topics.
• Help manage corporate governance documents, including corporate books, board minutes, consents, and other governance-related records while ensuring compliance with corporate policies and procedures.
• Lead the compliance-based efforts across the company for understanding, adherence, and training
• Help shape the strategy of URUS through unique insight about opportunities or potential activities that would enhance or accelerate growth goals
• Work with Director of Finance- Tax to identify opportunities for legal entity consolidation to streamline operations.

Job Requirements:

• JD from U.S. Law School
• Admission to a US State Bar
• Minimum of 7 years legal experience, preferably with experience in the agricultural sector
• Experience with M&A transactions a plus
• Must be willing to work/relocate to URUS Headquarters in Madison, WI
• Prior in-house experience a plus
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong business acumen with sound judgment
• Ability to manage multiple work streams in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively
• Proven ability to manage complex legal matters and work effectively with cross-functional teams.

As a holding company with cooperative and private ownership, URUS is a family of businesses at the heart of the dairy and beef industry- AgSource, Alta Genetics, GENEX, Genetics Australia, Leachman Cattle, Jetstream, PEAK, SCCL, Trans Ova Genetics and VAS. Each organization has its unique identity, products, and services. These companies work globally to provide cutting-edge dairy and beef genetics, customized reproductive services to maximize conceptions, dairy management information to take producers to the frontline of progressive dairy farming, and an array of products and services to help bovines reach their full genetic potential. URUS has 10 operating companies in 17 countries and employs approximately 2,800 people