Associate General Counsel

Littelfuse is one of America’s Best Mid-Sized Companies (Forbes) and has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois (Best Companies Group) for 11 consecutive years. With its global headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, USA, Littelfuse is a leading, global manufacturer of electronic components serving more than 100,000 end customers across industrial, transportation, and electronics end markets. We have more than 17,000 employees with operations in 15 countries. From semiconductors to sensors… switches to fuses and more… we produce billions of electronic components that help our customers empower a sustainable, connected, and safer world. In 2021, Littelfuse had net sales of $2.1 billion.

Job Summary

We are looking for Associate General Counsel, the ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree, J.D. and a current license to practice law. A track record of academic distinction is required. This position is a high-profile role that will require frequent interaction with executive leadership and a sophisticated and engaged board of directors. The successful candidate will possess the utmost integrity and have outstanding presentation and interpersonal skills. The projects and work that are handled in this role are of critical importance to the company and occur at a substantial volume and in a fast-paced environment. Often the position will serve as a project manager by facilitating the participation and involvement of multiple stakeholders in matters or transactions.  This requires the ability to effectively manage different perspectives and ideas and to help foster consensus among the group with the support of senior leadership. Key attributes of the position are responsiveness, clear communication about priorities and deliverables, and the ability to lead, manage and drive multiple projects simultaneously while producing outstanding work product. This role will serve as a member of the Legal Leadership Team and is expected to work collaboratively across all levels and groups in the company, including the businesses and support organizations, the legal department, finance and accounting, investor relations, communications, planning, strategy, development, treasury, and tax.

About the Job

• Primary responsibility for preparation for meetings of the board of directors and its committees, agenda development and drafting of minutes, in close coordination with the Deputy General Counsel.

• Substantive review of and responsibility for all periodic reports under the 1934 Act (10-K, 10-Q, 8-Ks, etc.) as well as review of registration statements and prospectuses, investor presentations and related press releases. Primary responsibility for Section 16 compliance and oversight of Forms 3/4/5 filings.

• Work closely with the Deputy General Counsel to plan and consider securities and public disclosure implications as corporate events develop. Primary responsibility for form and content of annual proxy statement.

• Support Investor Relations, Finance, Communications, and Human Resources (executive compensation and stock-based employee benefit plans).

• Lead, manage and mentor counsel, paralegal and support staff.

• Take lead legal role in connection with capital markets transactions/bank lending facilities. Support Finance, Accounting and Treasury.

• Support Tax in all corporate reorganization/structuring matters.

• Provide general legal advice and counsel regarding securities law matters, corporate governance matters, including NYSE listed company requirements, general corporate matters, and other issues as appropriate.

• Assist the Deputy General Counsel in planning director education topics and new director onboarding.

• Provide legal support in mergers and acquisitions and divestitures, supervising outside counsel as necessary.

• Global corporate subsidiary maintenance.

About you

Experience:

• 8-10 years of securities and governance experience, with some public company in-house experience required. Initial training at a top law firm is required.

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills and experience presenting to executive leadership and board members.

• Extensive familiarity with existing and evolving corporate governance principles.

• Experience with federal securities laws, including Reg. S-K, Reg. S-X, Reg. FD, Reg. G, and applicable SEC ’33 Act and ‘34 Act forms.

• Previous leadership experience desired; highly self-motivated with a strong work ethic and ability to meet deadlines.

• Experience operating in a highly visible position; client-focused; must support and facilitate business while driving functional excellence.

• Strong problem-solving abilities and the ability to effectively work with multiple groups and stakeholders and facilitate cross-departmental project teams.

Leadership Competencies

Technical Legal Skills

A well trained, versatile corporate, securities and finance lawyer; demonstrated ability to advise on corporate governance, securities matters, and transactions; demonstrable presence and gravitas; an engaged lawyer who exhibits a hands-on approach to the provision of legal services to senior management and board members.

Collaborating and Influencing

A lawyer who is centered, secure, and open in his or her relations with peers and subordinates, who enjoys learning from others, and who will be comfortable in this highly visible and hands-on role. The person must have the ability to integrate successfully into the legal department and possess an evident presence with an in-check ego and a demonstrated willingness and self-confidence necessary to set forth opinions even in the face of contrary views. Ideally, the person should possess the leadership skills and maturity of legal and business strategic thinking to be a leading candidate to succeed the current Chief Legal Officer should the opportunity arise in the future.

Executing for Results

Demonstrated ability to work well with the senior management team and board of directors; proven ability to support a dynamic business; demonstrated ability to understand and balance business exigencies with the provision of legal services.

Other Characteristics for the position

• Unquestioned ethics and integrity

• Comfortable serving in a hands-on role while possessing the capability and potential to lead others; comfortable working in a new and initially ambiguous environment due to the pending separation of entities

• Detail and results-oriented; a self-starter who can handle multiple tasks in a highly active environment

• Strong business and financial acumen

• A well-grounded individual who can work collaboratively in a team environment

• Mature individual with good judgment

• Outstanding organizational skills

• Strong analytical skills

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills

• Outstanding work ethic and dedication; calm and focused under pressure

Littelfuse strives to empower associate growth and development in a culture of ongoing collaboration and respect for diverse global perspectives and expertise. Our Core Values — Customer Focus, Teamwork, Results-Driven, Integrity, and Innovation — support us on our mission to improve the safety, reliability, efficiency, and performance of our customers’ products and systems. We are an equal opportunity employer that takes pride in giving every associate the means and courage to make a difference — everywhere, every day.