Corporate Counsel

DEPARTMENT: Legal
REPORTS TO: President and CEO

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: Responsible for providing strategic direction and guidance in legal matters for the corporation. Advises top management on business practices and policy. Works cross functionally in all of the key transactions of the Company. Manages the legal function, and outside counsel, as needed, in such a way as to further Capstone’s business effectively and cost-efficiently.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participates in the definition and development of corporate policies, procedures and programs and ensures the company receives continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications for company matters.
• Staff Counsel will provide legal and business advice on a wide range of strategic, tactical and operational issues and assist with corporate leaders in managing corporate risk.
• Works closely with outside counsel who advises the Board of Directors, and handles all securities/governance matters and together they will oversee the legal affairs of Capstone.
• Oversees the development of contracts including drafting and negotiating distribution contracts, managing intellectual property (IP) portfolios, as well as handling all patent, trademarks and licensing matters for customers and suppliers.
• Ensures legal counsel is provided to senior management in a professional and unbiased manner, constructively helping to achieve business purposes within legal and ethical means, while “relentlessly executing” the Company’s business strategy for growth and achievement of shareholder value.
• Provides legal strategy and support on litigation filed against or on behalf of the company and works with the appropriate executive(s)and outside counsel to define related strategies.
• Facilitating filings of licensing forms and other statutory requirements
• Maintaining knowledge of the company’s legal documents and operations
• Keeping a record of all legal documents and proceedings for the company
• Manage outside counsel relationships, ensure efficient use of outside counsel, and the effectiveness of the work product.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Broad experience with corporate legal practices and activities.
• Strong experience with IP and commercial contracts knowledge required
• Knowledgeable with employment matters
• Demonstrated ability in advising executive management and have strong ethics and integrity to command the trust and respect of executives and subordinates.
• Experience in directing strategy and managing complex business situations.
• Demonstrated ability of having a keen business mind to develop a thorough understanding of the company’s business and the laws that affect it.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, entrepreneurial environment where growth and professionalism will be achieved largely through creativity, high integrity, reasoned and thoughtful judgment, sense of urgency, a balance between strategic and tactical skills and a willingness to “roll up one’s sleeves.”
• Evidence of a management style which successfully builds alliances within the corporation
• Demonstrates an emphasis on high morale, collegiality, effective teamwork, high performance, delivery of commitments, and high moral standards.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• 7 – 10 years of general corporate experience.
• Prior experience in a publicly-held company, even if not directly involved in public company/securities matters.
• Strong IP and contracts experience.
• Experience advising executive management and Human Resources.
• U.S. credentialed law degree from ABA accredited law school.
• Transactional experience with a broad range of business transactions, including product production and distribution, purchases and supplier relationships, employee issues, strategic alliances, research and development agreements and mergers and acquisitions.

Capstone provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills or abilities that the incumbent(s) must possess to successfully perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.