Ascend Wellness Holdings Inc. is seeking a skilled and dynamic Corporate Counsel to join our legal team and provide comprehensive legal support for our evolving company. This role offers the opportunity to work on diverse legal matters, including corporate governance, regulatory compliance, contract negotiations, intellectual property protection, and employment law. The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of corporate law and regulatory frameworks, excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders to align legal strategies with business objectives. This role will report to the company's EVP, Legal & Compliance and work closely with the corporate development, operations, compliance, human resources, marketing, and finance departments.Location: Remote with preference to candidates who reside in Central Standard Timezone (CST) and Eastern Standard Time (ET)PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assisting with certain corporate governance matters, including board meetings, resolutions, and compliance with bylaws and other corporate documentation.
- Monitoring, interpreting, and advising on applicable cannabis regulations at the federal, state, and local levels.
- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of contracts, including supply agreements, licensing agreements, partnership agreements, real estate leases, and varying vendor & service contracts.
- Drafting and negotiating commercial agreements and as needed, advising on M&A transactions (with support of outside counsel).
- Advising on employment policies and procedures, employee relations issues, and workforce compliance.
- Working closely with HR to address labor law concerns, including wage and hour compliance, workplace safety, and anti-discrimination practices.
- Working collaboratively with Compliance to assure the organization complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
- Assisting with the protection and enforcement of the company's trademarks and other intellectual property assets.
- Assisting the EVP, Legal with certain pre-litigation disputes and coordinating with outside counsel on litigation, when necessary.
- Partnering with internal stakeholders (e.g., finance, operations, HR, marketing) to provide sound legal advice aligned with business objectives.
- Providing such other assistance and support as may be required from time to time in areas outside of those specified above.JOB REQUIREMENTS
- J.D. degree from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one state bar (position can be fully remote).
- 3+ years of experience as a practicing attorney, with at least 1 year in a corporate or in-house role; experience in the cannabis industry is highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of corporate law, regulatory compliance, and commercial transactions.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, evolving industry.
- Must comply with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry.
- Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills, with a strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with outside counsel to address legal, regulatory, and compliance challenges.
- Computer proficiency (MS Word, Sharepoint, Excel and PowerPoint).PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSThe position must occasionally lift, push, pull and or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, this position is regularly required to sit and regularly use hand(s) to handle, grasp, feel, and or touch. This position is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. This position is required to speak and listen regularly.WORK ENVIRONMENTThis position performs duties in a home office / office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.Company OverviewAscend Wellness Holdings (AWH) is a vertically integrated cannabis cultivator, processor and provisioning center operator with assets in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania. We seek to foster a robust and inclusive cannabis industry through a premium, unmatched customer-focused retail experience. We are looking to build a world-class team that will help carry out our mission of helping to shape the future of cannabis as a leading healthcare solution. We are committed to improving the quality of our patient's lives by offering unrivaled quality, consistency and meticulously curated products that satisfy our customers unique, individual needs. When it comes to customer service experience, our dispensaries will set a new standard of excellence, emphasizing health and wellness by a highly knowledgeable team. A team that is committed to our values, our people, and our communities; we are looking for people who are inspired by our vision and stay dedicated to our mission as we continuously expand.EEO STATEMENTAscend Wellness Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries is an equal opportunity employer and celebrate the population of differences and does not discriminate in its hiring / hiring practices, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr