Corporate Legal Counsel

[Position] Corporate Counsel

[Location] Los Angeles, CA

[Employment Type] Full-Time

[Seniority Level] Mid-Senior level

[Pay Range] $180,000 - $220,000/year + Eligible for annual performance-based bonus

Benefits: 401(k) with Company Match, Employee Discount Program, Lifestyle Allowance, Mobile Phone Plan Reimbursement, Comprehensive Health/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, Generous Paid Time Off, Flexible Work Hours, Wellness Days, Creative Leave, Monthly Team Building Budget and more!

About Us

CJ OLIVE YOUNG introduced the first Korean health and beauty store in 1999, pioneering the industry and becoming Korea’s No. 1 Health & Beauty Store. With over 1,400 stores across Korea and a global network reaching 150 countries, OLIVE YOUNG is now evolving into a Global Lifestyle Platform that brings the best of beauty and health to customers worldwide.

CJ OLIVE YOUNG USA, Inc. is a dynamic and fast-growing beauty retailer in the U.S. As we expand, we are also curating a selection of local U.S. beauty brands, bringing innovative and high-quality products to our customers.

About the Role

We are seeking a business-minded Corporate Counsel to join our legal team and serve as a key legal partner to our cosmetic retail business. The Corporate Counsel is responsible for handling and advising on complex legal work, including commercial contracts, corporate compliance, joint ventures, and litigation. This role is ideal for an experienced attorney who can exercise independent judgment, manage matters from intake through completion, and provide clear, practical advice to business teams.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Contracts & Transactions

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage complex commercial agreements, including lease, construction, supply, non-disclosure, vendor, licensing, merchandising, and joint venture agreements.
• Manage contract matters end-to-end, including intake, drafting, negotiation, stakeholder alignment, and final execution.
• Monitor the contract process to ensure contracts comply with legal, regulatory, and organizational policies while assessing commercial risk.
• Conduct advanced risk assessments associated with corporate legal transactions and business practices.

Litigation & Dispute Management

• Manage and work actively on the organization's litigation efforts and dispute resolutions.
• Prepare responses to litigation requests utilizing specialized legal software.
• Research and advise senior leadership on potential legal challenges, ongoing disputes, and mitigation strategies.

Advisory & Operations

• Advise merchandising, marketing, sales, finance, retail operations, compliance, and executive stakeholders on practical legal and business issues.
• Develop and improve legal templates, contract playbooks, clause libraries, and scalable legal operations practices.
• May manage and coach paralegals, less experienced attorneys, and legal support associates to meet the strategic needs of the Legal department.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and active license to practice law.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• 5 to 8+ or 5+ years of relevant legal experience, with increasing responsibility in managing contracts and disputes.
• Demonstrated experience managing litigation matters and responding to litigation requests.
• Strong commercial contract drafting and negotiation experience.
• Strong business judgment, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize material legal risk.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Professional proficiency in Korean, sufficient to communicate with Korea-based business and legal stakeholders, is preferred.
• Prior in-house legal experience within the consumer products or retail industry.
• Experience using legal contract management software, litigation management databases, and legal technology tools.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based with standard business hours.
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer are required.
• Must be able to communicate effectively via phone, video conferencing, and email.
• Ability to review legal contracts and litigation documentation on a screen for extended periods.

Additional Information

• CJ OLIVE YOUNG USA, Inc. will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act and the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
• Benefits described herein are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable benefit plans. The Company reserves the right to modify or terminate its benefit plans at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with applicable law.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

CJ OLIVE YOUNG USA, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe in hiring with empathy and strive to build a diverse workforce that reflects our community. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to these factors.