Senior Associate Counsel

WEDC DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING STATEMENT

WEDC must be a diverse and inclusive organization reflective of the businesses, communities, and people in Wisconsin and beyond. We believe that diversity drives innovation and commit to create an inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace where our differences are celebrated as drivers of our organization’s performance.

TO SUPPORT A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE AT WEDC, WE WILL WORK TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING GOALS:

• Increase WEDC’s racial diversity, specifically with Black/African American, Native American and Latinx populations;
• Increase LGBTQ representation across WEDC; and
• Increase the diversity of WEDC’s leadership.

TO MEET OUR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION GOALS, WEDC WILL TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

• Create an intentional approach to recruit minority candidates by using targeted media channels to promote open positions;
• Ensure formal offers are made only after a diverse pool of candidates have been considered at each hiring stage;
• Identify and develop a variety of employee resource groups, including groups for African Americans, Hispanics and Latinos, LGBTQ+ and more;
• Post signage to highlight WEDC’s commitment to diversity and inclusion; and
• Revisit EEO disclosures in our application process to highlight statements regarding WEDC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution and EEO/Affirmative Action Employer committed to excellence through diversity. Employment offers are made on the basis of qualifications, and without regard to race, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

Recently separated veteran means a veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service.

* EEOC RACE/ETHNIC IDENTIFICATION CATEGORIES

Hispanic or Latino - A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.

White (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.

Black or African American (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands.

Asian (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian Subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand and Vietnam.

American Indian or Alaska Native (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment.

Two or more races (not Hispanic or Latino) - All persons who identify with more than one of the above races.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Position Description

POSITION TITLE: SENIOR ASSOCIATE COUNSEL
DEPARTMENT: LEGAL & COMPLIANCE
REPORTS TO: DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL
POSITION(S) SUPERVISED: N/A
FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

*WEDC is a Wisconsin-based organization, with a remote-work first environment. Remote work is intended to be performed in the State of Wisconsin.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Associate Counsel provides legal counsel to WEDC’s programmatic and operating divisions under the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel. This role provides legal advice and support on a wide range of matters affecting the organization, including open records compliance, procurement-related legal functions, and the drafting and negotiation of contracts for financial and technical assistance awards. The position requires strong attention to detail, effective written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively while maintaining professionalism and discretion.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior Associate Counsel will spend a majority of their time in these activities:

• Manage the organization’s response to public records requests in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.
• Oversee legal aspects of WEDC’s procurement processes, including the development and maintenance of procedures, tracking procurements, and reviewing and negotiating vendor contracts
• Draft, review, revise, and negotiate contracts and related documents.
• Provide legal counsel and guidance to WEDC’s programmatic and operating divisions.
• Assist with the development, review and interpretation of statutes, policies, procedures, and program guidelines.
• Prepare legal memoranda, correspondence, briefings, and other written legal documents.
• Conduct legal research and analysis in support of organizational initiatives and legal matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA accredited law school required.
• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of Wisconsin required.
• Minimum of four years of legal experience required; six or more years of relevant legal experience preferred.
• Post-law school transactional experience required; prior experience with contracting and/or public records strongly preferred.

Skills and Talents:

• Strong analytical, strategic, systemic, and creative thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly.
• Strong legal research skills.
• Demonstrated professionalism and ethical conduct.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple assignments independently in a fast-paced environment.
• High attention to detail and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills, sound reasoning, and independent judgment.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to complete work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in sensitive matters.
• Considerable working knowledge of core legal principles.

Other Requirements:

• Occasional statewide travel may be required, generally less than twenty percent (20%) of work time, and primarily involving day travel.
• Based on the responsibilities of this position, this position may need to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.