Commercial Contracts Counsel Attorney / Partner Consumer Brands

New York, New York | Portland, Oregon | Seattle, Washington | Spokane, Washington | Washington, D.C.

Direct Counsel is seeking a Commercial Contracts Counsel or Partner-level Attorney to join a highly regarded law firm and its growing Consumer Brands Industry Group. This is an excellent opportunity for a senior commercial attorney with substantial experience advising operating businesses on complex commercial agreements and strategic business relationships.

The ideal candidate will have at least 8 years of sophisticated commercial contracting and transactional experience, with significant hands-on experience drafting and negotiating agreements across supply chain, manufacturing, distribution, sales, logistics, licensing, and other operational relationships. Experience representing consumer brands, manufacturers, or other product-based businesses is strongly preferred.

This role is primarily focused on commercial contracting and day-to-day strategic business counseling rather than corporate or M&A work.

• Serve as a day-to-day commercial and strategic legal advisor to operating businesses.

• Structure, draft, review, and negotiate sophisticated business-to-business agreements.

• Advise clients on the legal and business considerations involved in developing, manufacturing, marketing, selling, and distributing products.

• Handle agreements involving:

  • Raw materials, ingredients, components, and packaging supply

  • Contract manufacturing, co-manufacturing, and co-packing

  • Product development, formulation, research and development, and commercialization

  • Purchasing, procurement, and vendor relationships

  • Sales representatives, brokers, and other sales channels

  • Wholesale and retail distribution

  • Warehousing, fulfillment, transportation, and logistics

  • Private-label and white-label products

  • Licensing, co-branding, collaborations, and strategic partnerships

  • Intellectual property rights arising from commercial relationships

  • Quality, specifications, forecasting, ordering, pricing, and service-level arrangements

• Identify business and legal risks and develop practical, creative solutions.

• Advise clients not only on contractual terms, but also on how proposed business relationships should be structured and operated.

• Anticipate potential operational issues and downstream consequences and translate solutions into clear contractual structures.

• Take ownership of complex matters and manage multiple projects, workstreams, and deadlines.

• Build and maintain strong client relationships while identifying opportunities to expand existing relationships and generate new business.

• Collaborate with attorneys and professionals across a multidisciplinary practice.

• 8 years of sophisticated commercial contracting and transactional experience.

• Significant experience independently drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements for operating businesses.

• Demonstrated experience across multiple categories of supply chain, manufacturing, distribution, sales, logistics, licensing, or other operational commercial agreements.

• Experience representing consumer products, food and beverage, beauty, pet, apparel, home goods, consumer electronics, toys and games, baby products, or other product-based businesses is strongly preferred.

• Excellent business judgment with the ability to understand client objectives, identify material risks, and develop practical solutions.

• Exceptional critical-thinking, creative problem-solving, and analytical skills.

• Strong project-management and organizational abilities.

• Exceptional attention to detail.

• Excellent client-facing and communication skills, with the ability to explain sophisticated legal and business issues clearly and practically.

• Strong drafting and negotiation skills.

• Highly responsive, collaborative, and service-oriented approach.

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and license to practice law.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a diverse, multidisciplinary team.

• A portable book of business is preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to build strong client relationships, expand existing relationships, and generate new business is a plus.

• Experience with general corporate matters, M&A, strategic transactions, or transactional intellectual property is helpful but not required; deep commercial contracting experience is the priority.

Salary Range: $300,000–$550,000 annually, depending on experience, qualifications, location, and other relevant factors.

The firm offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with employer contributions; commuter benefits; disability and life insurance; parental leave; billable credit for approved DEI and pro bono work; annual bonus opportunities; and additional benefits.

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative and multidisciplinary team serving emerging and established consumer brands across a broad range of industries. The practice provides attorneys with the opportunity to serve as trusted business advisors, work on sophisticated commercial matters, develop long-term client relationships, and play a meaningful role in the growth of the firm's Consumer Brands practice.