General Counsel – North America

Company ProfileWith over 80 years of innovation JCB is the worlds largest privately owned manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment. Operating 23 manufacturing facilities across four continentsincluding the United States the United Kingdom India and BrazilJCB produces a diverse portfolio of more than 300 products. These include telescopic handlers backhoe loaders excavators wheel loaders compact excavators skid steer loaders compact track loaders access aerial work platforms rough terrain forklifts and the heart of JCBs success are its people. As a family-owned business we are accountable to our customersnot shareholderswhich gives us the flexibility to focus on long-term innovation and delivering real value. This independence allows us to continuously develop advanced technologies and integrate them into equipment designed to perform in the toughest environments while maximizing customer JCB we stand behind our productsand our namewith pride and commitment to PurposeThe General Counsel serves as the Companys chief legal advisor and strategic business partner providing practical commercially focused counsel that supports growth while protecting the organization from legal regulatory and operational risk. This role will establish and lead the legal function oversee corporate governance and compliance support complex commercial matters and guide the Companys response to recalls investigations regulatory actions litigation and reputational risk events. The General Counsel will also drive legal operations excellence through the implementation of scalable processes legal technology and contract lifecycle management solutions that enable business growth and operational TypeFull Time ExemptLocationOnsite: 13210 Palo Alto Road San Antonio TX 78224Benefits and Other CompensationJCB offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical dental and vision insurance; 401 (k) retirement plan; paid time off and paid ProcessApplications will be accepted through Careers JCB Careers JCB Jobs JCB or via LinkedIn. The anticipated application window will close on October 16 2026. Major Tasks Responsibilities & Key AccountabilitiesEstablish lead and continuously enhance the North America legal function ensuring alignment with business objectives corporate governance standards and global legal strategy. Serve as the primary legal advisor to the President Executive Leadership Team and business stakeholders providing strategic risk-based and commercially focused legal counsel. Partner closely with the UK Group General Counsel to align legal strategy governance compliance and risk management initiatives across the organization. Draft review negotiate and manage a broad range of commercial agreements including dealer distributor supplier procurement manufacturing logistics financing leasing technology software and customer contracts. Provide legal oversight and strategic guidance for dealer and distributor networks including appointments performance management territory rights sponsored dealer arrangements equity transfers and termination matters. Ensure compliance with all applicable federal state and international laws and regulations including product liability product safety warranty import/export trade compliance anti-corruption environmental and commercial regulations. Advise the business on regulatory matters involving agencies and programs including EPA CARB ECCC and other relevant governmental authorities. Support the Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team on governance matters including corporate policies governance frameworks board resolutions and corporate records management. Lead the management of litigation claims investigations disputes and regulatory matters including the selection and oversight of external counsel and management of legal budgets. Identify assess and mitigate legal regulatory operational and reputational risks through the development of effective controls policies and risk management practices. Provide legal counsel on real estate property leasing land holdings and dealer facility matters across North America. Oversee legal and compliance requirements associated with government and defense contracting including DFARS compliance Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) DIBCAC audit readiness and contractual obligations. Advise and support Human Resources on employment law matters executive employment agreements restrictive covenants workplace investigations labor relations employee disputes and employment litigation. Partner with the UK Group General Counsel on intellectual property matters supporting brand protection trademark enforcement and intellectual property risk management. Lead legal support for mergers acquisitions joint ventures strategic investments business integrations and other corporate transactions. Provide legal oversight and support for JCB Finance operations and related commercial financing activities throughout North America. Direct enterprise ethics compliance and internal investigation programs promoting a culture of integrity accountability and regulatory adherence. Lead the Companys response to product recalls regulatory investigations government inquiries compliance incidents and other crisis or reputational risk events. Drive legal operations excellence through the implementation of legal technology contract lifecycle management systems process improvements knowledge management and outside counsel governance to improve efficiency and scalability. Monitor changes in legal and regulatory requirements proactively advising leadership on emerging risks obligations and business duties as assignedMinimum QualificationsJuris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction with the ability to practice or obtain admission in Georgia and/or Texas. Minimum of 15 years of progressive legal experience including significant experience in both private practice and in-house legal environments. Extensive experience drafting negotiating and managing complex commercial agreements. Demonstrated experience advising executive leadership teams on legal regulatory governance and business matters. Proven experience managing litigation external counsel and legal budgets. Strong knowledge of commercial law contract law corporate governance employment law litigation management and regulatory compliance. Ability to operate independently as the senior legal leader while effectively partnering with executives and business pass any drug screens background checks and any pre-employment tests which will be conducted in accordance with applicable QualificationsAdditional qualifications or certifications in business finance compliance risk management or corporate governance. Experience within manufacturing industrial construction equipment automotive engineering agriculture equipment or other heavy equipment industries. Experience supporting dealer distributor franchise or independent channel networks. Experience with product liability product safety warranty and regulatory compliance matters. Experience supporting imported products international supply chains and global operations. Experience with government contracting defense contracting DFARS compliance CUI requirements and DIBCAC audit readiness. Experience supporting mergers acquisitions joint ventures strategic investments and post-acquisition integration. Experience establishing building or transforming an in-house legal function. Experience implementing legal technology solutions contract lifecycle management systems and legal operations best Skills Abilities & CompetenciesComprehensive knowledge of commercial law contract law corporate governance regulatory compliance employment law litigation management intellectual property dealer/distribution networks product liability and international trade regulations. Ability to provide practical business-focused legal counsel while balancing legal risk with commercial objectives. Strong contract drafting negotiation dispute resolution and strategic transaction management skills. Demonstrated ability to influence executive leadership build trusted stakeholder relationships and develop scalable legal and compliance frameworks. Exceptional analytical problem-solving decision-making communication and presentation abilities. Proven capability to manage multiple priorities lead crisis response efforts and operate effectively in a fast-paced evolving environment. High integrity sound judgment strong business acumen and a proactive solutions-oriented mindset. Collaborative resilient and adaptable leader with a hands-on approach strong accountability and the ability to build credibility across all levels of the ConditionsBoth office environment and occasionally manufacturing/factory to noise and temperature RequirementsThe physical demands described here are representative of those required of an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to:Remain stationary operate hands to finger handle or feel reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and move and/or walk. The employee must frequently move and/or transport up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision depth perception and the ability to adjust Opportunity EmployerJCB is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer in accordance with applicable federal state and local laws. JCB complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment at every location where the company has facilities. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin veteran or disability statute or any other characteristic protected under federal state and local laws. EEO EMPLOYER/VET/ Accommodation StatementJCB complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process to perform essential job functions and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment please contact the JCB Human Resources team at Inc. is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status; however as a global company JCB offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S. which can be found through our website athttps:// This job description is general in nature and is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.