Senior Counsel, Litigation

📋 Description

• • As a Senior Counsel, Litigation at Avantor, you will be a pivotal member of the legal team, reporting directly to the VP, Global Litigation & Legal Operations. This fully remote position offers a unique opportunity to manage a diverse and challenging litigation and pre-litigation docket, requiring creative problem-solving and strategic thinking to resolve disputes effectively.
• • You will be entrusted with the comprehensive management of all aspects of in-house litigation support, from the initial stages through to conclusion. This includes overseeing record retention policies and legal holds, meticulously managing discovery processes, conducting thorough witness interviews, and actively participating in mediations, arbitrations, trials, and appeals.
• • A key responsibility will be to independently develop and execute litigation strategies. You will manage lawsuits and subpoena responses from inception to resolution, conducting early case assessments, analyzing potential exposures, and setting clear matter disposition goals to achieve the most favorable outcomes for the company.
• • Proactive risk identification and mitigation will be central to your role. You will be expected to develop and implement strategies designed to minimize potential litigation, safeguarding the company's interests and resources.
• • You will play a crucial role in selecting, directing, and collaborating with external legal counsel. Your objective will be to ensure that fit-for-purpose outside counsel are engaged and effectively managed to deliver optimal results for the enterprise, balancing legal expertise with cost-effectiveness.
• • Collaboration will be essential as you work closely with other legal departments, Finance, Internal Audit, Enterprise Risk Management teams, and various other business functions. This cross-functional partnership will ensure a cohesive and capable approach to legal matters.
• • You will be responsible for developing and diligently managing litigation budgets, ensuring financial prudence and accountability in all legal proceedings.
• • You will handle additional responsibilities as delegated by the Vice President of Litigation, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to contribute across a broad spectrum of legal challenges.
• • The ideal candidate possesses a Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school, coupled with strong academic credentials and current bar admission in good standing. A minimum of ten (10) years of combined relevant experience, encompassing both law firm practice and in-house legal department roles, is required.
• • A strong litigation background is essential, with a comprehensive understanding of all phases of pre-trial, trial, and post-trial work. Preference will be given to candidates with prior experience within life sciences companies, demonstrating an understanding of the unique legal landscape in this sector.
• • You will embody Avantor’s core values of innovation, customer centricity, accountability, respect, and excellence, demonstrating high integrity in all professional dealings.
• • Exceptional verbal and written business communication skills are paramount, with the ability to influence and impact stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• • You will possess outstanding analytical, drafting, legal research, writing, and organizational skills, coupled with an unwavering attention to detail.
• • Strong, effective judgment and the ability to present ideas logically and persuasively are critical.
• • A client-focused and confident demeanor, combined with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, will enable you to interact effectively with senior business leaders, vendors, customers, and other third parties.
• • You must be adept at conflict resolution, overcoming resistance, and facilitating consensus among diverse groups.
• • Flexibility to adapt to evolving company priorities, processes, initiatives, and risk tolerance is key, alongside the ability to offer practical, compliance-oriented solutions.
• • A collaborative approach is necessary for success within a global organization.
• • You must be capable of working independently, managing complex and sophisticated legal matters with minimal supervision.
• • The ability to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines and effectively prioritize workload to best serve business needs is essential.
• • A genuine willingness to learn new areas of business and law will be highly valued, fostering continuous professional development and adaptability.
• • This role is integral to protecting Avantor's interests, managing legal risks, and contributing to the company's overall success through expert legal counsel and strategic dispute resolution.