General Counsel - American Airlines Center

This position is responsible for directing all the company’s legal functions with a focus on the company’s business operations.  Provides innovative and strategic solutions to all levels of the organization in developing, implementing and evaluating ongoing company legal policies, programs, functions and activities.  Work independently on projects and special assignments as directed by the CEO.  Provides advice and counsel to Human Resources on issues related to employees, employment laws, and related compliance requirements.  Position must be able to interface with all levels of the organization as well as external contacts.

Essential Functions:

• Drafts and reviews contracts and other legal documents including but not limited to facility and lease agreements, sponsorship agreements, service or vendor agreements, merchandising agreements, releases, consent and waivers, collection letters, cease and desist letters, etc.
• Maintains ongoing reports of all legal activities and provides snapshot reporting of company’s legal and contract statuses - suitable for executive briefings and board meetings to support executive decision-making
• Researches law, investigates facts, and prepares documents/notes for review by manager
• Creates sufficient contract oversight with each material contact so as to ensure traceability of all contracted rights and obligations, during contract terms
• Structures, drafts, and reviews reports and other legal documents
• Establishes, maintains, and distributes for use, standard contract templates and forms where suitable for the business in order to maintain standards and consistency in business practice
• Advises CEO on potential legal issues and risks, with proposals for solutions
• Provides advice and counsel to management, including but not limited to corporate sales, events, parking, human resources, and marketing to minimize risk and maximize legal rights
• Pursues continuous improvement of standard form agreements and legal department processes
• Conducts contract audits and policy audit reviews to assure organization is in compliance with appropriate laws
• Advises on major business transactions and assists with negotiation of business agreements
• Advises re usage of outside counsel and acts as liaison with external attorneys, managing their usage within budgetary resource
• Manages litigation matters for the company
• Prepares own work, without separate clerical support/ assists with other duties as assigned

Education/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from accredited university
• Law Degree/ licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and in good standing with the Texas Bar
• 2-5 years of proven corporate law experience in a law firm environment (e.g., contract law, accounting, easements, etc.)  
• Evidence of strong business aptitude is required through education and/or experience

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality
• Ability to interact with all levels of organization and outside contacts in a professional manner
• Ability to work under pressure, handling multiple and competing priorities simultaneously
• Ability to anticipate legal issues and potential risks
• Ability to engage analytical skills to propose written and verbal; ability to present ideas clearly and concisely/ ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors
• Possesses strong Interpersonal skills –listens to others, works well in a team environment
• Ability to plan, organize, and accurately prioritize work
• Ability to analyze and interpret state and federal regulations and contract requirements and disseminate information in a comprehensible form to target audience
• Dependability – consistently at work on time, follows instructions, responds to manager’s instructions
• Strong computer skills – including all Microsoft Office software programs
• Ability to model behaviors of Integrity, Teamwork, Passion and Excellence – our organization’s core values.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time since majority of work is at computer work station
• Ability to talk, and to hear interactions with staff and business associates throughout the facility
• Ability to see and review documents and presentations
• Ability to use hands to create and edit documents by hand or by computer
• Ability to reach upward, or squat downward to reach contents of filing cabinets, as necessary
• Ability to lift and/or move 20 pounds unassisted
• Ability to talk, hear, use hands to handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stand and walk
• Ability to walk around all areas of facility to assess contract and leasing issues
• Ability to work extended hours including nights, weekends, holidays
• Ability to respond on an immediate basis during normal business hours, after hours and on weekends via mobile phone is required/company phone allowance is provided

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT - JOB ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS
Any individual who requests a job accommodation due to a physical or mental impairment will require a dialogue with Human Resources to determine if the individual can perform the essential duties of the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Medical documentation will be required to support any request for medical restrictions that impact job duties. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.