General Counsel

Join the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) as our in-house General Counsel. At AEM, we value growth, innovation, and well-being. Our culture fosters a sense of belonging, camaraderie, and mutual respect.

As the Association’s chief legal officer and corporate secretary, you will provide legal counsel and guidance on a wide variety of internal matters. These include governance, corporate nonprofit law, antitrust compliance, intellectual property (IP), tax and IRS tax-exempt status, human resources (HR), Federal Political Action Committee Compliance, contracts, and more.

As a member of our leadership team, you will contribute to strategic discussions and exemplify AEM’s core values.

Responsibilities:

Analyze and address legal issues and risk management concerns.

Monitor developments in laws applicable to AEM.

Provide advice on employment law, discrimination, diversity, and equal employment opportunity.

Counsel on corporate non-profit law and IRS tax-exempt status.

Resolve disputes that may lead to litigation.

Governance:

Attend Board meetings and provide counsel on all legal matters.

Interpret and maintain AEM’s organizing documents.

Maintain AEM’s Mission, Positions, Policies, Strategic Plan, and related statements.

Prepare and track resolutions, contracts, board and committee minutes, policies, corporate business licenses, registrations, and other legal forms and documents.

Ensure compliance with all matters related to antitrust at meetings of the associations, including any subsidiaries, chapters and affiliates.

In-House Legal:

Manage legal aspects of AEM’s lobbying and PAC compliance.

Negotiate, draft, and review contracts for AEM.

Proactively analyze and address the Association’s legal risk.

Manage all AEM’s Intellectual Property (IP) matters.

Manage litigation and outside counsel in matters involving AEM.

Legal Administrative:

Provide training and guidance to association staff on legal matters.

Qualifications:

Executive presence and effective communication skills.

Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills.

Superior management skills.

Self-reliant and results oriented.

Possess the gravitas and confidence to inform and influence a high-performing Board of Directors

Ability to formulate, build consensus, and foster compromise among competing interests and drive to execution all matters assigned.

Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities.

Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in Wisconsin.

5-10 years of legal experience in business/commercial/association law preferred.

Experience in a trade association environment preferred.

Master of Business Administration a plus.

About AEM:

AEM is the leading organization in North America advancing construction and agriculture equipment manufacturers and their value chain partners in the global marketplace. In enabling growth together, AEM and its members build momentum for the equipment manufacturing industry and the markets it serves.

AEM offers a competitive salary and an outstanding benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k), 401(k) company match, life insurance, long-term disability, 18 PTO days during the first full calendar year, and 10 paid holidays. Our staff is enthusiastic and passionate about what they do, our office space is both modern and inviting, our dress code is casual, we hold several staff functions, and are involved in community service.