Company Profile:

Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) is an integrated global trading company active in various commercial ventures.  It imports and exports raw materials and goods and has diversified activities in businesses throughout the Americas.  These activities include investments, financing, coordination, and operation of urban and industrial infrastructure projects, providing transportation and logistics services, developing natural resources, distributing steel and other products, and developing and managing real estate.  SCOA is the largest subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation (SC), one of Japan's major integrated trading and investment business enterprises with operations in a wide array of businesses, organized into seven industry-focused segments: Energy, Automotive, Social Infrastructure, Agri-Food and life science, Construction & Transportation, Real Estate, Mineral Resources, and Energy Innovation Initiatives.  Visit www.sumitomocorp.com  and www.sumitomocorpofamericas.com for more information.

Job Summary:

Corporate Counsel will provide legal and compliance advice related to the Company’s operations. The individual will be assigned to work in the Company’s Houston, TX branch office.  

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Draft, revise and negotiate a wide variety of contracts and legal documentation relating to Company’s commercial, trade, and investment activities;
• Conduct legal research on various legal topics and advising Company about the legal and compliance issues associated with potential transactions;
• Monitor legal updates and changes, including regulatory requirements and changes in the law, which may have a material impact on Company and advising on the same;
• Assist in conducting, or leading internal compliance investigations; preparing reports on investigation findings and providing advice on mitigating compliance risk;
• Monitor and supervise outside counsel and maintain relationships with existing law firms and legal service providers;
• Liaise between Company employees and outside counsel regarding material transactions, such as merger and acquisition and litigation matters, and reducing outside legal spend where possible, to include in-house legal services;
• Monitor disputes and litigation and advise Company on litigation and/or dispute resolution strategies;
• Prepare and provide legal and compliance training on relevant and beneficial legal topics, through regularly held virtual trainings, in-person trainings, and written materials/guides;
• Provide general legal support and advice to Company subsidiaries and/or affiliates, both domestic and international.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

Job Specific Knowledge/Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent drafting, contract review, legal research and writing skills;
• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations affecting the Company and its operations;
• Ability to work independently and offer sound legal advice and support in connection with a broad range of matters related to dispute resolution, transactional matters and corporate legal concerns;
• Excellent written / verbal communication skills and ability to organize work and establish and manage priorities.
• Maintain the highest standards of ethics and professionalism;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships, promoting mutual respect;
• Customer focused and enjoys working in a cross-cultural environment; and
• Willing to travel both domestic and international for business trips.

Education, Certification, and Experience:

Experience: 

• 4 – 7  years of experience working as a lawyer for an in house legal team and/or a law firm.

Education:   

• Law Degree from an accredited U.S. law school, or international equivalent

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement:

Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Sumitomo are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Sumitomo will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.