Legal Counsel, Global Corporate Legal Affairs

Overview

In this global role, the Counsel, Global Corporate Legal Affairs ("Counsel") supports the well-established intellectual property ("IP") and subsidiary governance functions of Manulife’s Global Governance, Investments, and Transactions team. The ideal applicant will have 3-5 years of experience in IP and/or corporate law, obtained at a large national firm. As the primary focus of this role will be on IP, some prior experience with IP matters and/or a very strong interest in developing expertise in IP matters is required.

This role is based out of Manulife’s global headquarters in Toronto and reports to the AVP & Associate Chief Counsel, Head of Global Intellectual Property Law, with matrixed reporting into the AVP & Associate Chief Counsel, Global Subsidiary Governance & Head of Global Competition Law.

• Drafts various IP law instruments, including: trademark license agreements, copyright license agreements, co-existence agreements, cease and desist letters, and other trademark-related documentation, including revising IP provisions within contracts across the business units.
• Assists with trademark oppositions, including negotiations, discussions with business representatives and providing instructions to global external trademark agents.
• Develops and/or revises policies and procedures relating to intellectual property (trademarks, copyright, patents, domain names), and training of same.
• Ensures the IP law clerks are submitting timely corporate and IP filings with the relevant government agencies.
• Provides guidance, as required, to corporate and IP law clerks across the enterprise.
• Monitors developments in corporate and IP law and makes recommendations for revising precedent documents and internal processes and procedures to address regulatory changes.
• Drafts various corporate law instruments, including: intercompany financing agreements and related documents supporting the implementation of intercompany transactions, complex directors’ and shareholders’ resolutions, and other instruments as required.
• Prepares insightful quarterly and yearly subsidiary governance reporting for executives and the board of directors by analyzing data, identifying trends, highlighting issues, and making practical recommendations.
• Oversees day-to-day work product of corporate law clerks in connection with routine corporate transactions and subsidiary board meetings.
• Quarterbacks, as required, corporate transactions for the Group Functions segment of the Company.
• Conducts research and prepares pragmatic legal advice, having regard for legal, regulatory, and reputational risks.
• Identifies, documents, analyzes, and constructs legal solutions to advance business objectives.

• Law degree and admitted to practice law in the Province of Ontario.
• 3-5 years of experience practicing IP law and/or corporate law in a large national law firm and/or in-house legal department of a large public company. Some prior experience with IP matters and/or a very strong interest in developing expertise in IP matters is required. While corporate law is an asset, training will be provided in this area.
• A continuous learning mindset and willingness to engage in formal and informal professional development activities.
• An execution mindset, and appreciation that successful in-house lawyering is multifaceted, which involves a combination of legal and non-legal work to achieve business objectives.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent computer skills:
  Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and Adobe Acrobat.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent judgment.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Professional aptitude and strong work ethic.
• Ability to take charge, work independently, and proactively handle various tasks simultaneously, as well as the ability to work well in a team environment and with other departments and outside parties.
• Ability to manage projects and deliver on time.
• Ability to produce high-quality work while working under strict timelines.
• Ability to be discreet when handling confidential issues.

We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.

We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.

As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

LI-Hybrid

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