Summary:
General Counsel is appointed by the CEO with the prior consent of the Attorney-General. The General Counsel is responsible for providing legal services to MEC Management and Board of Directors. In particular, the General Counsel provides legal services on matters relating to commercial contracts, procurement, corporate governance, property, legal and regulatory compliance, liability claims, civil litigation, and other legal matters. The General Counsel will work closely with MEC’s International Legal Counsel on the aforementioned duties. In addition, the General Counsel is also the company secretary and is therefore responsible for undertaking such duties typically associated with such a position.
Qualifications:
The General Counsel must possess a great deal of professional integrity, ethics, and honesty. They will encounter conflicts with senior managers who may feel the General Counsel is interfering in business; therefore, a strong personality and the ability to be persuasive and relentless in reinforcing the best interests of the company is essential. They should be an effective communicator, particularly when it comes to discussing legal matters with other lawyers. The visibility of the position also requires maintaining a professional appearance and providing a positive company image to the public. Other more specific qualifications shall include:
- Prior legal professional experience
- University Education – minimum of undergraduate degree in law – advanced degree in law preferable
- Good knowledge of RMI legal system and laws
- Admitted to practice law in RMI is required, with bar admission in any U.S. state advantageous
- Fluency in English and Marshallese
- Prior experience working in a fast paced office environment and working under pressure is a plus
- The ability to multitask, manage and meet deadlines and interact with staff member on all levels
- Microsoft Office proficiency required, including Word, Excel, and Power Point
- Possess a positive attitude and be a team player
- Attention to detail
- Client focused. Prepared to “go the extra mile”
Responsibilities:
General Counsel has one primary objective, namely, to ensure the company is operating within the law at all times. In order to accomplish this objective, the General Counsel will work closely with MEC’s International Legal Counsel to fulfil the following duties:
- Provide analysis and counsel to MEC Management and Board of Director, on legal issues, to include, but not limited to, commercial contracts, employment, corporate governance, property matters, taxation, pensions, banking & finance, regulatory, civil litigation, and environmental policies.
- Perform the role and duties of corporate secretary, to include (i) maintaining the register of shareholders and directors; (ii) making all necessary filings, publications and/or disclosures for the RMI Business Registry; and (iii) prepare papers for meetings of the Board of Directors in coordination with the CEO and take minutes of such meetings.
- Manage and vigorously pursue all legal claims brought by MEC and vigorously defend all claims brought against MEC.
- Represent the company or its officials in various legal proceedings, or delegate such responsibility to external counsel, as appropriate.
- Provide legal counsel on issues arising from actual or anticipated legal claims.
- Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts (both procurement and non-procurement contracts) in line with MEC policies and procedures and advise on the interpretation of contract terms.
- Advise on property law matters, to include drafting of lease agreements, advising on property rights, and maintaining a true and accurate record of MEC’s property rights.
- Develop and recommend company policy and position on legal issues, to include advising on, drafting, or amending legislation that impacts MEC.
- Draft letters, memoranda, correspondences, proposals, and MOUs as directed by the CEO.
- Represent MEC at public hearings on matters pertaining to the company and liaise with other RMI stakeholders (to include the Office of the Attorney-General), international donors and development finance institutions on legal matters affecting MEC.
- Anticipate and guard against legal risks facing the company.
- Conduct and coordinate research into a variety of legal issues.
- Other activities as directed by the CEO.
