Coca-Cola, Senior Legal Counsel-Food and Litigation

Coca Cola is offering the Senior Legal Counsel, Food and Litigation based. The company is looking for someone with the experience in the areas of food and drug regulation and advertising substantiation. 

Senior Legal Counsel, Food Law and Litigation will actively assist the business in maximizing opportunities and managing risk in the areas of food law compliance, advertising substantiation and litigation, particularly in connection with public communications regarding the Company’s beverages and the development of new products. Senior Legal Counsel, Food Law & Litigation will also advise business associates in the Company’s geographic business units around the world and in the following Corporate departments: Scientific and Regulatory Affairs (SRA); Ingredient and Product Governance (IPG); Global Marketing; Research and Development (R&D); Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability (PACS); Global Quality; and the Incident Management and Crisis Resolution (IMCR) team.

*** This position will be based of Atlanta, GA***

Responsibilities 

• Counsel Global Marketing, R&D and PACS clients on what the Company can communicate publicly regarding the attributes of its products, ingredients, and packaging (in conjunction with SRA)

• Collaborate with Global Marketing, R&D, IPG, SRA, and with business unit counsel to facilitate the development and launch of new products, which includes finding solutions and providing advice with respect to:

• the substantiation of claims to be made in a wide range of media and on product labels;

• regulatory issues regarding ingredients and other substances; and labeling compliance

• Perform due diligence with respect to the food and advertising law aspects of potential acquisitions (done in conjunction with SRA)

• Manage the timely and effective review and approval of submissions from business units around the world to the Company’s global review process for communications requiring substantiation, including:

• evaluating claims to be used on product labels and in a wide range of media, including digital media, and the substantiation thereof; and supporting SRA’s overall management of the review process

• Oversee management and defense of lawsuits, arbitrations and other litigation matters, particularly those related to food law, labeling, marketing and advertising; negotiate settlements of litigation/claims where appropriate; manage outside counsel to ensure zealous representation of the Company’s legal and business interests; provide regular updates on litigation matters for audit and financial reporting.

• Advise business stakeholders and management on litigation risks and threats; assess potential litigation exposure and costs; provide counsel to avoid or mitigate litigation risk.

• Provide counsel regarding the food law aspects of the Company’s contractual relationships with and obligations to third parties (e.g., bottlers, customers, suppliers, sponsorship properties, and others)

• Track legislative and regulatory developments and educate clients regarding their impact

• Draft opinions and materials to explain food law and advertising substantiation issues to clients

• Support SRA in addressing regulatory compliance issues

• Serve, as needed, on IMCR teams in connection with recalls and other matters

• Build and develop effective working relationships with clients and other lawyers

• Provide support to Senior Food Law Counsel

• Continue to develop expertise in food law and advertising substantiation through on-the-job training and Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

• Review public and internal communications by the Company regarding newly published studies and other information about health and nutrition matters relating to the Company’s products (in conjunction with SRA)

• Counsel SRA and PACS on the wide range of legal issues that they confront in communicating with consumers and other stakeholders regarding the relationship between the Company’s beverages and health

• Supervise and review the work product of outside counsel and work with scientific and technical experts with respect to food law and advertising substantiation issues

Qualifications & Requirements

• U.S. Juris Doctor degree and a practicing member of a U.S. state or international bar. Strong academic credentials required.

• A minimum of 5 years experience in a large national law firm and or corporate legal department with demonstrated experience in counseling business clients regarding regulatory matters and litigation

• Experience in the areas of food and drug regulation and advertising substantiation strongly preferred

• Litigation experience required

• Ability to analyze problems and find solutions that further business goals while assessing and minimizing risk

• Ability to work independently and as a member of cross-functional teams

• Ability to manage numerous assignments (managing changing priorities and deadlines)

• Ability to influence and interact at all levels of the business

• Excellent organization and planning skills