Agribusiness Counsel in Georgia

A dynamic and growing multi-state agribusiness wishes to hire an experienced Agribusiness Counsel to join its leadership team.  This is a new position.  The agribusiness is an operating subsidiary of a leading private asset manager which manages a multi-billion dollar global portfolio. Primary responsibilities will include providing pro-active counsel on a wide range of agribusiness-related commercial, operations, regulatory, operations and real estate matters. This is a great opportunity for a strategic and hands-on attorney interested in actively supporting a dynamic agribusiness.  This person will be officed near Valdosta, Georgia and will report to the senior manager of the agribusiness and a senior in-house counsel of the parent firm.

Primary Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

•   Counsel and support agribusiness (land owner, tenant, employer, grower, supplier, processor, packer, importer) across a very broad range of transactions, including real estate / farm leasing, grower, packing and supplier agreements, equipment purchase and leasing agreements, shipping agreements, easements.
•   Provide counsel on natural resources, energy and environmental matters, including water, oil & gas, pesticides, energy.
•   Provide counsel on diverse federal, state and local regulatory matters core to the business and operations, including product labeling, marketing, advertising, packaging, transportation, food safety, and product recall.
•   Manage claims and litigation, including commercial disputes with tenants, customers, neighbors and vendors.
•   Proactively develop and implement legal management and reporting systems, such as contract management and claims management, to support the agribusiness and reduce legal and regulatory risk.
•   Review, draft, and negotiate other commercial agreements, including non-disclosure agreements, transportation contracts, consulting agreements, and engagement letters.
•   Work with outside counsel, asset managers, and members of the leadership team to address other legal, regulatory, and business issues.

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies:

•   Highest levels of professionalism, problem solving, interpersonal and communication skills.
•   J.D. degree, with at least 10 years of diverse agribusiness experience. Admitted to practice law, preferably in Georgia or Florida.
•   Prior work at regionally or nationally recognized law firm; in-house experience with an agribusiness strongly preferred.
•   Broad agribusiness-related experience including several of the following areas: environmental, land use, natural resources, intellectual property, food safety, worker safety.
•   Familiarity with agribusiness regulatory compliance (e.g. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, Food Safety Modernization Act, Sanitary Food Transportation Act, Clean Water Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and state counterparts).
•   Enthusiastic and adaptable with a demonstrated ability to effectively incorporate legal and regulatory compliance into a dynamic operating business.
•   Demonstrated ability to assess and communicate risk and achieve positive client outcomes.
•   Actively participate as legal advisor in fast paced, multi-state business leadership team.
•   Consensus builder among diverse parties, including regulators.
•   “Think like an owner”
•   Interact effectively with internal and external contacts at all levels, including regulatory agency personnel, and customers.

Please direct resumes and/or questions to:
Millie Johnson
mjohnson@lakeland-ag.com