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# Chief Legal Officer – Publicly-Traded Manufacturer – Milwaukee, WI


 
Chief Legal Officer (CLO) – Publicly-Traded Manufacturing Company
Are you a strategic legal leader who thrives in high-stakes environments and enjoys shaping corporate governance at the highest level? We are seeking a Chief Legal Officer (CLO) for a publicly-traded manufacturing company headquartered in Milwaukee, WI. This executive will play a pivotal role in guiding the organization through regulatory complexities, SEC compliance, corporate governance, risk mitigation, and strategic transactions. If you bring exceptional leadership, a business-first mindset, and expertise managing legal functions for a publicly-traded organization, this opportunity may be the next step in your career.
Lead the Legal Function of a High-Growth, Publicly-Traded Manufacturer in Milwaukee
A leading, innovative manufacturing company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is seeking a Chief Legal Officer (CLO) to oversee all legal, compliance, and governance strategies. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CLO will advise the board of directors, lead corporate governance, manage SEC and regulatory filings, and safeguard the organization against legal and compliance risks. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in manufacturing or industrial sectors, strong knowledge of public-company legal requirements, and a track record of collaborating cross-functionally to support organizational goals. If you excel in balancing legal oversight with business strategy, this role offers a compelling chance to influence the future of a rapidly evolving enterprise.
Key Responsibilities of the Chief Legal Officer – Publicly-Traded Manufacturer
Corporate Governance & Board Advisory:
Serve as the primary legal advisor to the CEO, executive leadership team, and board of directors. Lead all corporate governance initiatives, ensuring compliance with public company standards, best governance practices, and board-related documentation.
Regulatory & SEC Compliance:
Oversee all legal matters related to SEC filings, reporting obligations, and regulatory compliance. Ensure the organization meets strict public company requirements, including 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K filings, proxy statements, and disclosures.
Risk Management & Legal Strategy:
Develop and execute a proactive legal strategy to identify, assess, and mitigate legal and corporate risks. The Chief Legal Officer will ensure that risk management processes are integrated into strategic planning and operational decision-making.
Contract Negotiation & Transaction Oversight:
Lead negotiations for high-value contracts, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and vendor agreements. Protect the company’s interests while enabling strategic growth and operational flexibility.
Ethics & Compliance Program Leadership:
Establish and enforce enterprise-wide policies related to ethics, compliance, and regulatory expectations. Implement training programs, internal controls, and auditing procedures to cultivate a culture of integrity and accountability.
Litigation & External Counsel Management:
Manage litigation matters and supervise external legal counsel as needed. Coordinate legal strategy, control legal spend, and ensure cost-effective outcomes in disputes and legal actions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Partner with Finance, HR, Operations, and other departments to support initiatives impacting commercial, labor, intellectual property, and regulatory matters. Promote alignment between legal objectives and business goals.
Intellectual Property & Corporate Assets Protection:
Safeguard patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and proprietary information. Oversee IP strategy to protect competitive advantages in manufacturing processes and innovation.
Policies, Procedures & Documentation Oversight:
Lead the development, review, and implementation of corporate policies, compliance frameworks, and legal documentation to support operational excellence and regulatory adherence.
What the Client is Looking for in You
As the Chief Legal Officer of a publicly-traded manufacturing company, the client seeks a strategic legal executive with a proven ability to lead corporate governance, oversee regulatory compliance, and protect the organization from legal and operational risks. You should be an influential advisor who can guide the executive leadership team and board of directors while supporting the company’s long-term growth and public-company responsibilities.
Proven Legal Leadership in Publicly-Traded Environments
The client is looking for a Chief Legal Officer with extensive experience working in publicly-traded companies or highly regulated industries. You should have a track record of managing SEC filings, regulatory reporting, and corporate governance. Demonstrated success in navigating complex legal frameworks, managing outside counsel, and advising board members is highly valued.
Strategic Advisor with Business Acumen
Beyond legal expertise, you should bring strong business and financial insight. The ideal Chief Legal Officer knows how to balance legal risk with business opportunity—enabling growth while ensuring compliance. You must be able to interpret legal implications and translate them into clear, actionable guidance for executive leaders.
Expert in Risk Management & Compliance
The client seeks someone who can build and lead a robust risk and compliance program across the organization. You should excel in identifying legal, regulatory, and operational risks and putting proactive measures in place. Experience overseeing SEC compliance, ethics programs, investigations, and internal controls is essential.
Exceptional Contract & Transaction Negotiator
You should have demonstrated experience negotiating major commercial agreements, vendor contracts, and M&A transactions. The ideal Chief Legal Officer understands deal structures, protects the company’s interests, and enables partnerships that drive growth.
Collaborative Leader & Influencer
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills are critical. You should be able to build trust, lead cross-functional teams, and foster a culture of accountability and ethical decision-making. Experience managing internal legal staff as well as outside counsel is highly desirable.
Clear Communicator & Stakeholder Manager
The client needs a Chief Legal Officer who is confident communicating with board members, investors, regulatory bodies, and senior executives. Your ability to present complex legal matters clearly, maintain transparency, and build strong stakeholder relationships is essential.
Commitment to Integrity, Compliance & Corporate Ethics
Above all, the client values a leader who embodies integrity and champions ethical business practices. You should bring a deep commitment to compliance, transparency, and corporate responsibility—ensuring that the company upholds the highest standards in every operation.
FAQs About the Role – Chief Legal Officer – Publicly-Traded Manufacturer
1. What are the key responsibilities of the Chief Legal Officer in this role?
The Chief Legal Officer will oversee all legal, regulatory, and corporate governance matters for a publicly-traded manufacturing company. Responsibilities include managing SEC filings and regulatory reporting, advising the board of directors and executive leadership, mitigating legal and operational risks, leading contract negotiations, and ensuring compliance with ethics and regulatory standards across the organization.
2. What qualifications and experience are required for the Chief Legal Officer position?
The ideal candidate should have extensive legal experience within a publicly-traded company or highly regulated industry. Deep expertise in SEC compliance, corporate governance, risk management, and litigation oversight is essential. The client prefers candidates with 12+ years of progressive legal leadership experience, a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
3. What leadership qualities are important for a successful Chief Legal Officer?
The client is seeking a strategic thinker who can balance legal risk with business opportunity. Strong decision-making abilities, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to influence and collaborate across departments are key. The Chief Legal Officer must be able to guide senior leaders, manage outside counsel, and foster a culture of compliance and integrity.
4. What challenges can I expect in this Chief Legal Officer role?
This role requires navigating the complexities of public company compliance, regulatory oversight, and risk mitigation in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Challenges may include managing evolving regulatory requirements, supporting M&A or other strategic transactions, balancing legal constraints with business goals, and ensuring timely SEC filings and reporting accuracy.
5. How will the Chief Legal Officer impact the company’s growth and success?
The Chief Legal Officer plays a vital role in protecting the organization while supporting growth. By providing proactive legal strategy, strengthening governance, and overseeing risk management, you directly contribute to the company’s stability, compliance, and long-term value creation for shareholders.
6. What is the company’s culture and working environment like?
The organization values collaboration, accountability, and ethical decision-making. As a member of the executive leadership team, the Chief Legal Officer will work in a fast-moving, growth-oriented environment where transparency, teamwork, and strategic thinking are highly prioritized.
What Remuneration Can You Expect from This Job?
As the Chief Legal Officer of a publicly-traded manufacturing company in Milwaukee, WI, you can expect a highly competitive executive compensation package designed to attract seasoned legal and governance talent. The remuneration typically includes the following components:
1. Base Salary
The base salary for a Chief Legal Officer in a publicly-traded organization varies depending on factors such as company size, market conditions, and candidate experience. For mid-to-large manufacturing companies, the annual base salary typically ranges from $275,000 to $450,000, with larger corporations offering even higher compensation.
2. Performance-Based Bonuses
In addition to the base salary, most compensation packages offer annual performance-based bonuses tied to key deliverables such as risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, successful SEC filings, litigation outcomes, and contribution to strategic initiatives. Bonus payouts generally range from 25% to 75% of base salary, depending on performance metrics.
3. Equity & Stock Incentives
Since this is a publicly-traded company, the Chief Legal Officer will typically be eligible for stock-based compensation such as Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), stock options, or performance shares. These incentives align long-term legal leadership with company growth and shareholder value and can represent a substantial portion of total compensation.
4. Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs)
Many public companies offer long-term incentive programs that reward consistent performance over multiple fiscal years. LTIPs may include deferred compensation, stock vesting accelerators, and additional equity incentives tied to long-term company success.
5. Executive Benefits & Perks
Typical executive benefits for a Chief Legal Officer may include:

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) plans with company match
Executive retirement and deferred compensation plans
Paid professional membership dues and continuing legal education (CLE) support
Executive wellness programs and annual medical exams
Company-sponsored financial and tax advisory services

Some roles may also include a corporate vehicle allowance or travel benefits, depending on organizational policies.
6. Signing Bonus & Relocation Support
For highly qualified candidates, companies may offer signing bonuses or relocation assistance to facilitate onboarding. Signing bonuses can range from $25,000 to $200,000 depending on experience and business urgency.
Total Compensation Potential
When combining base salary, bonuses, equity, and incentives, the total annual compensation for a Chief Legal Officer in a publicly-traded manufacturing company can range from $500,000 to $1.5 million+, depending on company performance and shareholder results.
How to Apply
If you are an experienced legal executive with a strong background in corporate governance, SEC compliance, and risk management, we invite you to apply for the Chief Legal Officer role at this publicly-traded manufacturing company in Milwaukee, WI. This is an exciting opportunity to influence strategic decision-making, protect organizational integrity, and oversee legal operations for a fast-growing enterprise.
To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your experience in public-company legal leadership, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, litigation oversight, and cross-functional collaboration. Be sure to highlight your ability to advise executive leadership, manage legal risk, and lead high-impact legal strategies that enable business growth.
This is a high-visibility, high-impact position where you will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leaders and the board of directors. If you are ready to take the next step in your executive legal career as a Chief Legal Officer in Milwaukee, WI — we encourage you to apply today.
For more information or to explore similar executive legal leadership opportunities, visit our Inhouse Counsel Executive Search Firm page.
Tags:
Chief Legal Officer | Legal Executive Jobs | Public Company Governance | SEC Compliance Leadership | Corporate Legal Strategy | Manufacturing Industry Legal Leadership | Executive Legal Search | Risk Management & Governance