Legal Director & Assistant General Counsel

We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated attorney to join our small but mighty Legal team. As part of a Legal team of 6 professionals, this role will be critical in providing legal guidance and support to our organization and its stakeholders. 

 

The Director & Assistant General Counsel role is an in-house generalist reporting to the Chief Legal Officer.  In this role, you will have direct responsibility for litigation, employment counseling, privacy, and other general corporate legal matters.  You will advise senior leaders, drive strategy, and ensure legal alignment with Central’s operational and long term‑ goals. 

 

·         Oversee and manage Central’s litigation portfolio, including commercial disputes, product liability, IP conflicts, employment litigation, class actions, and agency investigations.  Act as first line resource for resolution of pre-litigation disputes. 

·         Direct all phases of litigation strategy: case assessments, pleadings, discovery, depositions, motions, mediation, and arbitration/trial support. 

·         Manage outside counsel, including budgeting, matter planning, and performance. 

·         Oversee eDiscovery programs, including litigation holds and data collection. 

 

·         Advise HR and business leaders on employment laws, policies, investigations, performance management, accommodations, compliance, and risk mitigation. 

·         Guide sensitive employee relations matters and develop preventive tools.  Lead and conduct employment-related internal investigations. 

·         Lead employment related compliance training and policy development. 

 

·         Serve as legal resource on privacy requirements, data governance, and consumer/privacy notices. 

·         Partner with IT, HR, Marketing, and Operations on privacy compliance. 

·         Support security incident response and compliance investigations.

 

·         J.D. degree; member of the California Bar or eligible for Registered In-House Counsel. 

·         10 years of combined law firm and inh-ouse experience. 

·         Significant experience in handling and managing complex litigation and senior level employment counseling. 

·         Strong additional background in commercial, privacy, and corporate legal matters is highly preferred. 

·         Excellent communicator with strong business judgment.  

·         High integrity and ability to handle sensitive matters discreetly

 

 

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT), (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2024 net sales of $3.2 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the pet and garden industries. The Company’s innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, Nylabone® and Pennington®, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities, and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut Creek, California, with 6,450 employees primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

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