
Managing Counsel at Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.. . Location: Franklin, TN. Join the Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) Team!. . . At Mitsubishi Motors NA, we are driving innovation, quality, and excellence in the automotive industry. Our commitment to delivering cutting-edge vehicles goes hand in hand with our dedication to fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment. . . . . Our team members are the driving force behind our success, and we believe in empowering individuals to contribute their unique skills and perspectives. We are a collaborative and forward-thinking team that values diversity, creativity, and continuous improvement. . . . . At MMNA, your career is not just a job but a journey of growth. Benefit from ongoing employee development programs, contribute to our impactful Community Relations initiatives, and enjoy a range of employee benefits that make your experience with us exceptional. . . . . Be part of a company proud of its heritage and excited about the future where together, we shape the future of mobility and drive success in every mile. . . . Summary of Role:. . The successful candidate for this role will be both legal advisor to the Company’s management team and a business strategist, playing a key role in helping Mitsubishi Motors to do business in a progressive and compliant manner. The person in this role will have the opportunity to engage in a broad practice, managing a significant portion of MMNA’s litigation docket, working on segments of MMNA’s contracting, and advising several areas of MMNA’s business on day-to-day risk mitigation, including Marketing, Aftersales, and Dealer Network Development. MMNA’s Legal Department is a special place – if you are looking to practice in a place where your advice truly makes a difference, read on!. . Responsibilities:. . Litigation Strategy and Management. . This role presents the opportunity to make an impact on the business by being heavily engaged in risk mitigation . strategy. , not just managing various tactical litigation activities with outside counsel and accepting their recommendations. Optimal risk management necessarily requires being deeply involved and engaged with our business clients to understand, and augment, their goals. We love our outside counsel, but your internal clients want to know what . you. think and what . you. recommend. To that end, you will:. . . Manage litigation and adversarial matters arising in numerous areas of MMNA’s business. Representative matters include warranty/lemon law, product liability, franchise law, data privacy, labor and employment, and other various odds and ends – some of which can be quite random. Depending on the level of materiality, in most situations you will be managing these matters independently including directing outside counsel. You will engage in the tactical aspects of litigation management – litigation holds, discovery, pleadings review, witness preparation, etc. – but you will also be required to develop and revise strategies and give advice to members of the leadership team and senior management.. . Research, advise on, and respond to demand letters and other various claims, including administrative claims, with or without the assistance of outside counsel. You will need to engage directly with administrative agencies and opposing counsel directly from time to time. You will not need to go to court (except as the client) or take a deposition. . . Work closely with MMNA’s Chief Legal Officer and other members of the Legal Department to evaluate legal risk and “hot” areas of litigation within the automotive industry that may impact MMNA’s business, and provide guidance to our business partners to ensure that MMNA meets its obligations under applicable laws in a constantly changing legal and regulatory environment.. . Even if you have years of experience, you will have to respond to a subpoena duces tecum from time to time. We have all had our turn at this thankless task!. . . Legal Advice and Counsel – Marketing and General Transactional. . This position will give the successful candidate the opportunity to branch out into numerous areas of law within the Company. Initially, you will work closely with the Marketing Department and other related departments within the Company (most likely Aftersales Marketing & Business Development and Dealer Network Development, although this will continuously evolve) to:. . . Respond to requests for legal advice and provide proactive counsel on a variety of business transactions and requirements efficiently and effectively; explain legal concepts to business partners, including international business partners, in a clear and concise manner.. . Review and provide guidance on a wide range of promotional and marketing materials, including branded promotional materials, social media campaigns, product-related external communications, educational materials, training materials and others.. . Be a thought leader for the business on emerging technologies, use of AI, data privacy, and evolving compliance requirements and translate the legal terms into business requirements, guidance and advice.. . Support the development and revision of MMNA’s policies and practices; support MMNA’s information management and governance programs and internal controls.. . Develop deep understanding of MMNA’s business model, proactively identify relevant areas of risk within the Company and work with other members of the Legal Department and business partners to mitigate risk.. . Draft, review and negotiate (if necessary) contracts across the operation within your responsible areas, primarily those involving the exchange of data and privacy concepts or AI, to improve MMNA’s business operations and risk mitigation strategies.. . . . Notes from the CLO about the Legal Department and General Requirements:. . MMNA’s Legal Department has a unique culture within a unique Company. The department is positioned quite differently than at many other companies – we are not viewed as a “cost center” but rather as an equal business unit, with a vision and a strategic plan designed to move the Company towards its long-term business plan, Momentum 2030. What that means, though, is that we do not have the ability to sit back and be academics (much); instead, all members of the Legal Department must be aligned with the concept of adding value while mitigating risk, accelerating MMNA’s business practices, and prioritizing business objectives while creating a culture of compliance. Equally important is that we are a group of people who are good human beings who truly care about the success of the Company and our clients, as well as each other.. . The Legal Department is small, and each legal professional wears a “lot of hats.” If you are the successful candidate, you will be able to work primarily in your area(s) of expertise, but you will also learn and work on emerging areas of the law specifically applicable to the automotive industry. You may be asked to take on business projects, manage litigation in an area you’ve never done before (with outside counsel!), try new things, work without a significant amount of supervision or direction, and inspire confidence in your own work and in the Legal Department as a true business partner. While this role is more or less the “junior attorney” position on the team, you will not be bored. If you want to learn, grow, change, work with supportive people, and see the fruits of your effort manifested in your client’s success, MMNA may be the right company for you!. . Location of Position and Travel. . . This position is located at the Company’s corporate headquarters in Franklin, TN. Other than an initial 60-day period of onboarding, the position can be performed from home ranging from 3 to all 5 days each week, depending on what is happening that week (we don’t have a random “days in office” mandate – your schedule will revolve more around client meetings, meaning some flexibility to come into the office on different days and times will be necessary). Accordingly, the Managing Counsel must live in the Middle Tennessee area within a reasonable commuting distance to the office. . Remote candidates will not be considered unless you are willing to relocate. Relocation assistance is not offered for this role. . . Very occasional domestic travel may be required. It is not expected that the person in this role will need to travel internationally. . . Required Qualifications:. . . 5+ years of experience as a practicing attorney with at least 2+ years of related and relevant experience - . minimum. . Bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) and J.D. or L.L.M. from an accredited law school. . Must be eligible to work in the U.S. for any employer. . Must be a member of the Bar in at least one U.S. state and be in good standing; must be eligible for admission to the Tennessee Bar. . Experience leading large and complex litigation or legal projects. . Flexible, willing to pitch in when and where needed. . Extremely discerning with impeccable judgment, and able to develop trust with internal clients. . Must be able to function without a significant amount of paralegal or assistant support. . Excellent communication skills, organizational skills, and a . sense of humor. required; ability to adjust communication style and level of formality to the specific audience and situation. . . Profile Differentiators: . . . Experience working both as external counsel (law firm) with litigation as a primary focus and as in-house (corporate) counsel. . Recognizing that most cases never go to trial, trial experience is a “nice-to-have” rather than a must have.. . National data privacy and information governance experience; familiarity with legal issues related to emerging technologies, the use of social media, AI and generative AI. . General working knowledge of laws related to advertising/FTC and intellectual property. . Experience working for an auto manufacturer, auto supplier, in supply chain, or as external counsel supporting same preferred. . . Pay Transparency: . . The base salary for this position ranges between. . $145,000 to $170,000. The base salary will be based on a number of factors including the role offered, the individual's experience and years of practice, job-related knowledge, skills, and qualifications. In addition to base salary, we are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for all eligible employees which also includes 401k with company match, Mitsubishi Lease Program, and a full range of medical, financial, and other perks and benefits.. . Perks and Benefits:. . . Family First:. Enjoy comprehensive healthcare coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans.. . Be a Proud Mitsubishi Ambassador:. Take advantage of our Discounted Employee Lease Car program, covering insurance, maintenance, and registration fees, with no down payment or credit check required.. . Drive with Perks: . This position comes with monthly a car allowance, contingent upon a satisfactory driving record.. . Secure Your Future:. Benefit from our 401(k) with Company match and annual contributions based on years of service.. . Fuel Your Growth:. Access professional development opportunities, including training, tuition reimbursement, and employee resource groups.. . Take Time for Yourself:. Enjoy up to 30 days of paid time off, including holidays, vacation, and other leave options.. . Hybrid Working Environment:. Experience the perfect balance of remote and in-office work (~2 days remote, 3 days in-office) at our modern office, located in the vibrant Franklin, TN area.. . Thrive in an Open Environment:. Experience our collaborative workspace where ideas flow freely.. . The MMC Way:. . Our values form the foundation of everything we do. At Mitsubishi Motors, we are committed to a set of core principles that guide our actions, decisions, and interactions. Our values reflect who we are as a company, how we collaborate, and the impact we aspire to make. These values are what we call the MMC Way:. . . Think of Our Customers, Strengthen Trust. . Enrich Society. . Welcome All Facts, Share Difficult News First. . Conduct and Challenge Yourself Professionally. . Respect All, Work as a Broader Team. . . Diversity and How to Apply:. . At MMNA, we embrace the strength that diverse perspectives and experiences bring to our team. Our application process is designed to champion inclusion and equity. We're on the lookout for the ideal fit for each role, valuing skills and experiences over traditional education or specific company backgrounds. Feel encouraged to apply, even if your profile doesn't precisely match the job description. We invite you to delve into a few thought-provoking questions in our application, offering you the opportunity to showcase your unique talents and insights right from the start.. . Once you've submitted your application, expect to hear from us within 7 business days. We're committed to keeping you informed about the status of your application, ensuring transparency and open communication throughout the process. We understand that perfection is a journey, and if you ever have questions about your application or the process itself, don't hesitate to reach out to your recruiter. . . Mitsubishi Motors is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, excited about collaborating with talented individuals of all identities. We do not discriminate based on identity, aligning with our commitment to fostering a diverse workplace. Our code of conduct serves as a guiding light for the company we aspire to be, celebrating our differences as the driving force behind a product that serves a global user base. . . We welcome applications from individuals with disabilities and is prepared to provide reasonable accommodations. If you require such accommodations for the job application or interview process, please email . [email protected]. .. . We hope you will join us on this journey where your dedication aligns with our values, creating an environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and meaningful contributions.. . Click . here. to learn more about what it's like at MMNA! . .