CORPORATE COUNSEL (Legal)
Are you ready to join a Best-in-Class Legal Team? KENT Worldwide™, a privately held, diversified enterprise with a proud legacy in food and beverage manufacturing. Headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa, we're a six-time U.S. Best Managed Company—recognized for our commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth. This role is part of Kent Shared Services, our centralized team supporting strategic and operational functions across the enterprise.
We're seeking a talented Corporate Counsel to support our expanding domestic and international operations. In this high-impact role, you'll advise on a wide range of legal matters—including compliance, contracts, litigation, real estate, tax, and commercial transactions—while working closely with senior leadership and outside counsel. If you bring 3 or more years of legal experience and are ready to make a strategic impact, we'd love to connect!
- This position is designed and intended to be performed in Muscatine, IA.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Legal Department Collaboration
- Provide legal support across the department, working closely with the Vice President – General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel, and Senior Corporate Counsel on enterprise-wide legal matters and strategic initiatives.
Business Partnership & Legal Advisory
- Act as a trusted legal advisor to internal stakeholders across KENT Worldwide's operating companies, offering practical, business-focused counsel on a wide range of legal and regulatory issues.
Contract & Transactional Support
- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including vendor and customer contracts, RFPs, and other legal documents. Contribute to M&A activities through due diligence, transaction execution, and integration support.
Litigation & Risk Management
- Manage enterprise litigation matters, including discovery, pleadings, legal research, and coordination with outside counsel. Proactively identify legal risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
Compliance & Employment Guidance
- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments, advise on employment-related matters, and collaborate with internal teams to support governance and operational practices across the organization.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Active license to practice law and in good standing with the Iowa Bar.
- Minimum of 3 years of legal experience in a law firm or in-house legal department, with a strong focus on corporate, commercial, and transactional matters.
- Demonstrated experience in real estate, tax, and complex contract negotiation and drafting.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong legal research and analytical capabilities.
- Industry experience in agriculture, food, or manufacturing is a plus but not required.
TRAVEL:
- 0-20%
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
