In House Counsel, APAC

Company: Deckers Outdoor International Limited (“Deckers Brands”)

Level: 3-6 PQE

Salary Range:

Start Date: [Q3/Q4], FY 2024

Location: Hong Kong

Job Summary:

We are looking for a dynamic senior in-house counsel to join our team as a key strategic partner, providing legal guidance to our footwear manufacturing, retail operations and support functions in the Asia Pacific region. As part of a small regional team, you will need to be able to provide expert reliable advice on a broad range of issues including contract drafting, corporate governance, compliance, intellectual property, employment law, and regulatory affairs. This role requires a competent proactive lawyer who excels in navigating complex landscapes.

Reports to the Associate General Counsel (“AGC”) – APAC.

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

3-6 years’ experience, ideally with at least 2-3 years in a C&I in-house role

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a recognized institution.

Qualified to practice law in Hong Kong or other common law jurisdiction.

SCOPE OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Working closely with the AGC and the global legal team you will play an important part in shaping the legal objectives, service provision, strategy execution and culture of Deckers Legal.

You will need to be comfortable working with multiple stakeholders across different levels of the business, ranging from global executive leadership teams to the regional support functions while upholding the integrity of our Legal operations.

You will provide pragmatic legal advice in line with the company’s global and regional objectives. Taking a strategic approach to risk evaluation you will proactively anticipate issues and provide advice which will help the AGC and the business leadership to make better decisions more quickly in this fast moving, complex, multi-jurisdictional market. Having quickly gained a solid understanding of the business you will immerse yourself in a variety of legal matters indicative of a successful fast paced global organization.

Legal Leadership

• You will assist the AGC in his capacity as legal advisor to the regional and global leadership teams.

• Help to develop and implement legal strategy designed to mitigate risks and provide solutions in line with the business’s objectives for growth.

• You will play a key role in promoting Deckers values and help to foster a moral compass which encourages integrity, diversity, corporate responsibility, collaboration, agility and innovation on a daily basis.

• Assist in delivering training to business teams to foster employee development.

Contract Review Drafting and Negotiation

• You will be responsible for the drafting, review, and negotiation of a wide range of contracts, including but not limited to distribution, sales and supply agreements, vendor contracts, retail leases, partnership agreements, e-commerce, IT agreements IP and Licensing, social media, endorsement and data privacy agreement.

• Ensure that all contracts comply with company policies, applicable laws, and regulatory requirements.

• Provide strategic, practical advice and solutions on contractual risks, liabilities, and negotiation strategies.

Corporate Governance Compliance and Regulatory Affairs

• You will help to promote, implement and maintain corporate governance by providing support, advice, guidance and generally assisting the business to ensure compliance with the Asia Pacific Region’s evolving regulatory landscape.

• Assist in corporate structuring, reorganizations, and mergers and acquisitions within the region.

• As part of our commitment to sustainable business practices and socially conscious operations you will work closely with and support initiatives of our corporate sustainability and corporate responsibility teams.

• You will be an integral part of Deckers ‘Leaders in Accountability through Compliance, Empowerment and Support (L.A.C.E.S) initiatives ensuring that our compliance programs and policies reflect regional requirements. 

• Monitor changes in regulatory requirements affecting the footwear manufacturing and retail industry and advise the business on necessary actions to ensure compliance. 

Litigation management.

• Assist in managing litigation matters across various jurisdictions in the Asia-Pacific region, including overseeing external counsel, preparing legal documentation, and coordinating court filings. Track case progress and provide regular updates to senior management.

Intellectual Property Management & Support

• Support the brand protection initiatives necessary to secure the company’s intellectual property.

• Support efforts to protect the company’s brands and products from counterfeiting, working with our internal Brand Integrity team, investigators, enforcement authorities, and external partners.

• Assist in developing and executing strategies for brand protection and anti-counterfeiting measures across the region.

Employment Law and Labor Relations

• Provide legal advice and support on employment matters, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating employment contracts, assisting with disciplinary processes, advising on employee grievances and disputes, and ensuring compliance with labour laws across the APAC region wherever we have an operating presence.

• Assist in developing and delivering training programs to HR and management on employment-related legal issues.

Real Estate Support

• Working in conjunction with our real estate teams you will help to review, negotiate, and manage the commercial property agreements for Deckers leasing, logistics, office and retail requirements in the APAC region.

General Legal Support

• Respond promptly to legal requests from the business summarizing and communicating legal concepts that be readily understood and used by various business stakeholders.

• Provide day-to-day legal advice and support to various departments within the organization, including manufacturing, supply chain, retail operations, and marketing teams.

• You will stay abreast of industry trends and legal and regulatory developments in the footwear manufacturing and retail sectors.

• Participate in continuous improvement of standard form agreements and legal processes.

External Counsel Management

• You will function as a main point of contact for managing outside counsel relationships across the region, ensuring the provision of high-quality legal services and effective use of external resources.

• Coordinate the engagement of external law firms for complex employment matters, litigation, and other legal projects as needed.

• Summarise external legal advice in a user-friendly manner.

• Manage the scope of work, timelines, and budgets for outside counsel, ensuring cost-effective legal support and oversee and evaluate the performance of outside counsel, providing feedback and making recommendations for future engagements.

Required Skills:

• Broad range of legal experience, preferably with a focus on contract, employment, IP, and compliance
• Must be Proficient in both written and spoken English and Chinese (Mandarin).
• Strong understanding of the legal landscape in the Asia-Pacific region, with experience managing cross-border legal issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex legal matters clearly and concisely.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities in a challenging environment.
• Ability to handle confidential and highly sensitive matters and always maintain the highest levels of integrity.
• Strong people skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Additional fluency in Japanese and/or Korean is a plus.
• Experience in anti-counterfeiting and brand protection is highly desirable.
• Prior in-house legal experience in a multinational company is advantageous.

This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a small, close-knit team within a dynamic and growing organization. You will gain exposure on wide variety of legal issues across the Asia-Pacific region and will have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the company’s legal strategy and growth. We offer a supportive environment for professional development, competitive compensation, and the chance to make a significant impact in the success of the business.