Corporate Counsel

Job Description

Job Description

General Description :

The Corporate Counsel position at Iowa Cannabis Company will be instrumental in ensuring that our operations comply with state and federal regulations within the dynamic and ever-evolving legal landscape of the cannabis industry.

The selected candidate will oversee corporate governance, manage zoning and land use issues, coordinate with external counsel and ensure compliance throughout all areas of our business.

This position calls for a foundational understanding of legal frameworks, strong communication skills and a proactive mindset to effectively navigate the legal complexities.

Essential Functions :

Corporate Governance and Compliance

• Advise the company on state and federal business laws and regulations to ensure compliance across all operations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate business contracts, agreements, and other legal documents relevant to the company's activities.
• Provide counsel on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, expansion and other corporate transactions ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Assist in corporate structuring and management, including assisting in entity formation, restructuring and dissolution as needed.

Zoning and Land Use Management

• Provide legal guidance on zoning regulations, land use planning and compliance with local, state and federal laws affecting company properties, potential properties and projects.
• Represent the company in zoning hearings, planning commission meetings and other interactions with regulatory bodies.
• Draft and negotiate land use agreements, easements and development agreements to facilitate business operations and expansion.
• Counsel on environmental impact assessments and ensure compliance with related regulations.

Coordination with External Counsel

• Manage relationships with external counsel, ensuring their work aligns with company goals and legal strategies.
• Coordinate the engagement of external counsel for specialized legal matters, overseeing their work and integrating their advice into the company's broader legal framework.
• Review and implement external counsel's recommendations within the company's legal strategies.

Legislative and Regulatory Affairs

• Monitor and analyze proposed legislation and regulatory changes at the state and federal levels that may impact the company.
• Advocate for the company's interests in legislative and regulatory processes, including drafting policy briefs and position papers.
• Engage in lobbying efforts on behalf of the company and represent the company in meetings with lawmakers and government officials.

Labor and Employment Law Management

• Advise the company on employment laws, including but not limited to compliance with wage and hour regulations, workplace safety standards and anti-discrimination laws.
• Draft, review and enforce employment contracts, non-compete agreements and employee handbooks in line with company policies.
• Draft and review company employment policies in conjunction with the Human Resources department.
• Represent the company in potential labor disputes, including negotiations, mediation, arbitration and any necessary litigation.
• Provide counsel on labor relations, collective bargaining, and union-related matters, ensuring alignment with the company's goals and compliance requirements.

Real Estate and Transactional Law

• Provide legal advice on real estate transactions, including the purchase, sale and leasing of properties vital to company operations.
• Conduct due diligence, including title searches and review of zoning and environmental compliance for real estate transactions.
• Draft and negotiate real estate contracts, deeds, leases and financing agreements to protect the company's interests.

Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance

• Develop and implement strategies to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations, including those related to business operations, labor and environmental law.
• Identify and assess legal risks to the company, developing risk management strategies to mitigate potential liabilities.
• Conduct internal audits and compliance reviews to ensure adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

• Manage and oversee litigation related to business operations, employment, zoning and land use issues.
• Develop and execute strategies for dispute resolution, including negotiation, mediation and arbitration to protect the company's interests.
• Prepare and manage legal cases, including drafting pleadings, conducting discovery and representing the company in court if necessary.

Legal Counsel and Training

• Provide ongoing legal advice and guidance to the company's management and departments on a wide range of issues.
• Conduct legal training sessions and workshops for employees and management on relevant topics, ensuring they are informed and compliant.
• Stay updated on changes in the law and proactively communicate these updates to relevant stakeholders within the company.

Ethics and Professional Responsibility

• Ensure that all legal practices and advice adhere to the highest ethical standards and comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Safeguard company confidentiality and manage conflicts of interest effectively.
• Provide clear, accurate and honest legal advice, even when it involves challenging or difficult decisions.

Working Conditions :

• Job duties may include work indoors and outdoors during all seasons, 365 days / year.
• Employees may be exposed to difficult or stressful vendor, customer, or employee situations requiring patience and professionalism to effectively handle.
• Work duties may require sedentary activities, active standing, stooping and / or kneeling.

Minimum Requirements :

• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds
• Must be able to sit and / or stand at workstation for up to eight hours per day
• Must be able to proficiently operate computers, tablets and other productivity machinery and technology
• Must be able to reliably arrive at work on time for scheduled shifts
• Must be able to type at least 40 words per minute
• Must be able to move about the corporate offices, as needed, to perform required functions
• Must be able to remain in a designated work area for up to eight hours per day with the exception of breaks as required by law
• Must be able to effectively communicate information and ideas so customers, vendors and coworkers will understand. Must be able to convey and exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Must be able to continue to assist vendors and coworkers during and after stressful situations
• Must be able to accurately observe details at close range in order to recognize, identify, detect, determine and assess objects
• Must be able to effectively communicate information displayed on digital screens
• Must be able to perform other job duties as assigned
• Must have the ability to work onsite at corporate Iowa City location
• Must have the ability to work 40 hours per week
• Must be able to perform other job duties as assigned.

Job Requirements :

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school required.
• Admission to the state bar in the jurisdiction in the state of Minnesota or the ability to gain admission within one year of hire.
• Basic understanding of corporate law, including corporate governance, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, and compliance.
• Familiarity with employment law, intellectual property law or real estate law is a plus.
• Internship or clinical experience in a corporate legal setting or law firm.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate legal concepts and strategies clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze legal issues, develop legal strategies, and provide innovative solutions to complex problems within a corporate setting.
• Eager to learn and quickly adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to take on challenging assignments and explore new areas of law relevant to the business's needs.
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting, collaborating with other departments and external counsel.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships across the organization and with external partners.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and managing sensitive information.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage several projects at once and meet tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in legal research platforms (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis) and familiarity with standard business software (e.

g., Google and Microsoft Office Suites).

• Comfortable working around cannabis and in a highly controlled environment with the ability to translate technical information into engaging content.
• Required to adhere to and uphold all regulatory mandates for employment in the cannabis industry.
• Successfully pass a pre-employment criminal background check
• Minimum 21 years of age.
• Ability to organize and prioritize necessary tasks in order to accomplish goals.

Benefits and Compensation :

• $100,000 - $130,000 annually commensurate with experience
• Employee discount includes 50% for Iowa medical cannabis card holders
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering in-person, telephonic, texting and video counseling for help with stress, anxiety, depression, family issues, and more.
• Paid Sick Leave (PSL) and Personal Time Off (PTO).
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Paid float holiday for the following : New Years Day, 4 / 20, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Equal Opportunity Employer :

Iowa Cannabis Company is an equal opportunity employer that believes in promoting a diverse workplace and creating a working environment in which all employees are provided with equal employment opportunities.

The company will not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any term or condition of employment based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other protected class or characteristic established under applicable federal, state or local statute or ordinance.

On May 12, 2017, Governor Terry Branstad signed House File 524 into law, allowing use of medical cannabidiol to treat certain debilitating medical conditions.

According to the Iowa Department of Public Health : "The Act provides that a person recommend, possess, use, dispense, deliver, transport, or administer cannabidiol if the recommendation, possession, use, dispensing, delivery, transporting, or administering is in accordance with chapter 124E of the Iowa Code.

This law also allows patients and designated primary caregivers to possess cannabidiol and requires the recommendation of a board certified physician.