Role Overview for Chief Legal Officer with a Global CPG Company – Los Angeles, CA
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to lead the search for a visionary and strategic Chief Legal Officer (CLO) for our client, a premier, publicly-traded global Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. This is a career-defining opportunity to join a dynamic executive leadership team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a beloved, household-name brand during a period of significant growth and international expansion.
The Chief Legal Officer will serve as the principal legal advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors, and the senior management team. This executive will be responsible for the entirety of the company’s legal, compliance, and corporate governance functions on a global scale. The ideal candidate is a seasoned legal executive with a strong business acumen, capable of providing pragmatic, solutions-oriented counsel that balances legal risk with strategic business objectives. You will be more than just a lawyer; you will be a trusted strategic partner, contributing to high-level decision-making processes that impact every facet of the organization.
In this role, you will lead a talented team of in-house legal professionals and manage relationships with outside counsel worldwide. Your leadership will be crucial in navigating the complex legal and regulatory landscapes inherent in the global CPG industry, from intellectual property protection and brand management to intricate supply chain agreements and international trade compliance. You will be at the forefront of major corporate initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and capital markets transactions. We are seeking a leader who can build a world-class legal function that is not only a guardian of the company’s integrity but also a proactive enabler of its commercial success and sustainable growth.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Legal Officer with a Global CPG Company – Los Angeles, CA
Executive Counsel & Strategy
Act as the primary legal advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and executive team on all legal issues. Provide insightful, timely, and pragmatic counsel on a wide range of strategic, tactical, and operational matters. Participate in the development and execution of the company’s long-term strategic plan.
Corporate Governance & Securities
Oversee all corporate governance matters, including Board and committee meeting preparation, minute-keeping, and advising on fiduciary duties. Manage all aspects of compliance with SEC regulations, including the preparation and filing of 10-Ks, 10-Qs, 8-Ks, proxy statements, and other public disclosures.
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Lead the legal strategy and execution for all M&A activities, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions. This includes structuring deals, conducting due diligence, negotiating definitive agreements, and overseeing post-acquisition integration from a legal perspective.
Global Compliance & Ethics
Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive global compliance and ethics program. Ensure adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, including the FCPA, UK Bribery Act, data privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA), and industry-specific marketing and advertising standards. Foster a culture of integrity and ethical conduct throughout the organization.
Intellectual Property Management
Develop and execute a sophisticated global intellectual property strategy to protect the company’s valuable portfolio of trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets. Oversee all IP litigation, licensing agreements, and brand protection initiatives to combat counterfeiting.
Commercial Transactions & Contracts
Supervise the legal team in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a high volume of complex commercial agreements. This includes contracts related to manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, marketing, advertising, sales, distribution, and technology licensing.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Manage the company’s litigation portfolio, including commercial disputes, product liability claims, employment litigation, and intellectual property disputes. Develop strategies to mitigate risk and achieve favorable outcomes, while effectively managing external litigation counsel and controlling costs.
Labor & Employment Law
Provide expert counsel to the Human Resources department on the full spectrum of employment law issues, such as employee relations, discrimination and harassment claims, wage and hour compliance, executive compensation, and collective bargaining agreements.
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing global legal department. Foster a collaborative, business-oriented culture within the team. Optimize the department’s structure, processes, and use of technology to create efficiency and scale.
Budget Management
Prepare and manage the legal department’s annual budget, including internal headcount costs and external counsel spend. Implement cost-control measures and leverage data to make informed decisions about legal resource allocation.
Requirements for the Chief Legal Officer with a Global CPG Company – Los Angeles, CA
Educational & Professional Credentials
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a top-tier, ABA-accredited law school is required. Must be an active member in good standing of the State Bar of California, or otherwise eligible to register as In-House Counsel in California.
Executive Legal Experience
A minimum of 20 years of progressive legal experience, with a significant portion spent in a senior in-house leadership role (e.g., General Counsel, CLO, or Deputy General Counsel) at a publicly-traded, multinational corporation. Prior experience at a major, nationally recognized law firm is highly preferred.
Industry Expertise
Demonstrable experience within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), food and beverage, retail, or a closely related consumer-facing industry is essential. The candidate must understand the unique legal challenges and rapid pace of this sector.
Substantive Legal Knowledge
Deep expertise across a broad range of legal disciplines, including corporate governance, SEC reporting, M&A, complex commercial contracts, intellectual property, and international law. A deep understanding of the ABA’s principles of business law and corporate governance is essential.
Proven Leadership Skills
A track record of successfully leading and managing a global legal team. The ability to inspire, motivate, and develop legal talent is critical. Must have experience managing significant departmental budgets and external counsel relationships.
Business Acumen
The ability to think like a business leader, not just a legal advisor. Must be capable of understanding complex business issues and providing pragmatic, risk-weighted advice that advances the company’s objectives. Strong financial literacy is expected.
Exceptional Communication Skills
Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely to non-legal stakeholders, including the Board of Directors.
Integrity and Judgment
Unquestionable personal and professional integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to ethical conduct. Must possess the gravitas and executive presence to be a credible and influential leader within the organization.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive executive compensation package designed to attract and retain a leader of this caliber. The comprehensive package includes:
- A competitive base salary commensurate with experience.
- A significant annual performance-based cash bonus.
- A substantial long-term incentive plan, including equity grants (RSUs/Stock Options).
- Comprehensive executive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
- A robust 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company matching contribution.
- An executive-level paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick leave, and company holidays.
- A comprehensive relocation assistance package for qualified candidates.
- An annual allowance for professional development and Continuing Legal Education (CLE).
- Access to company wellness programs, executive coaching, and other corporate perks.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is the exclusive search firm for this Chief Legal Officer position. All applications and inquiries will be handled with the strictest confidence. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive talent pool and encourage all qualified candidates to apply.
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit a detailed resume and a cover letter outlining their suitability for this role. To learn more about our executive search capabilities and to submit your application, please visit our Legal & C-Suite Executive Search practice page. We look forward to reviewing your credentials and discussing this exceptional opportunity with you.
