Overview

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionCommercial Contracts Counsel Attorney / Partner - Consumer Brands Locations New York, New York Portland, Oregon Seattle, Washington Spokane, Washington Washington, D.C.Direct Counsel is seeking a Commercial Contracts Counsel or Partner-level Attorney to join a highly regarded law firm and its growing Consumer Brands Industry Group. This is an excellent opportunity for a senior commercial attorney with substantial experience advising operating businesses on complex commercial agreements and strategic business relationships.The ideal candidate will have at least 8 years of sophisticated commercial contracting and transactional experience, with significant hands-on experience drafting and negotiating agreements across supply chain, manufacturing, distribution, sales, logistics, licensing, and other operational relationships. Experience representing consumer brands, manufacturers, or other product-based businesses is strongly preferred.This role is primarily focused on commercial contracting and day-to-day strategic business counseling rather than corporate or M&A work.Responsibilities Serve as a day-to-day commercial and strategic legal advisor to operating businesses.Structure, draft, review, and negotiate sophisticated business-to-business agreements.Advise clients on the legal and business considerations involved in developing, manufacturing, marketing, selling, and distributing products.Handle agreements involving:Raw materials, ingredients, components, and packaging supplyContract manufacturing, co-manufacturing, and co-packingProduct development, formulation, research and development, and commercializationPurchasing, procurement, and vendor relationshipsSales representatives, brokers, and other sales channelsWholesale and retail distributionWarehousing, fulfillment, transportation, and logisticsPrivate-label and white-label productsLicensing, co-branding, collaborations, and strategic partnershipsIntellectual property rights arising from commercial relationshipsQuality, specifications, forecasting, ordering, pricing, and service-level arrangementsIdentify business and legal risks and develop practical, creative solutions.Advise clients not only on contractual terms, but also on how proposed business relationships should be structured and operated.Anticipate potential operational issues and downstream consequences and translate solutions into clear contractual structures.Take ownership of complex matters and manage multiple projects, workstreams, and deadlines.Build and maintain strong client relationships while identifying opportunities to expand existing relationships and generate new business.Collaborate with attorneys and professionals across a multidisciplinary practice.Qualifications 8+ years of sophisticated commercial contracting and transactional experience.Significant experience independently drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements for operating businesses.Demonstrated experience across multiple categories of supply chain, manufacturing, distribution, sales, logistics, licensing, or other operational commercial agreements.Experience representing consumer products, food and beverage, beauty, pet, apparel, home goods, consumer electronics, toys and games, baby products, or other product-based businesses is strongly preferred.Excellent business judgment with the ability to understand client objectives, identify material risks, and develop practical solutions.Exceptional critical-thinking, creative problem-solving, and analytical skills.Strong project-management and organizational abilities.Exceptional attention to detail.Excellent client-facing and communication skills, with the ability to explain sophisticated legal and business issues clearly and practically.Strong drafting and negotiation skills.Highly responsive, collaborative, and service-oriented approach.J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and license to practice law.Ability to work effectively as part