Assistant General Counsel

Holman is a family-owned, global automotive services organization anchored by our deeply rooted core values and principles that have enabled us to continue Driving What’s Right throughout the last century. Our teams deliver the Holman Experience by treating our customers and each other as we would like to be treated, and creating positive, rewarding relationships all around.

The automotive markets Holman serves include fleet management and leasing; vehicle fabrication and upfitting; component manufacturing and productivity solutions; powertrain distribution and logistics services; commercial and personal insurance and risk management; and retail automotive sales as one of the largest privately owned dealership groups in the United States.

The Assistant General Counsel will provide specialized legal support to the retail automotive business and real estate and facilities team, focusing on commercial contract negotiation, drafting, and management, particularly with vendors providing goods and services to Holman’s dealerships and regarding real estate leasing, facilities maintenance, and construction across the enterprise.  This position serves as a key legal advisor on major real estate transactions, including property purchases, sales, leases (as both landlord and tenant), and development projects and on significant vendor commercial contracts and master agreements serving the Holman Automotive Group.

Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts related to retail automotive operations, including vendor agreements, equipment leasing, real estate purchase and sale agreements, AIA contracts, and construction agreements.
• Handle all aspects of real estate transactions and development, including negotiating leases, acquisition and disposition of properties, and overseeing construction agreements.
• Assist with real estate-related and vendor-related litigation and dispute resolution that arise in the course of Retail and Real Estate business operations.
• Stay abreast of legislative changes that may affect the company’s real estate interests, third party risk management, and the retail automotive industry.
• Review marketing materials related to retail automotive operations and advise on the legal aspects of strategic business initiatives and day-to-day operations, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Collaborate with the compliance department to manage risks effectively and ensure compliance with industry-specific legal requirements and company policies and procedures.
• Partner with stakeholders, including business leadership, Accounting, Information Security, Procurement, Marketing, and other central services, to design and drive vendor management and related policies and procedures.
• Provide training to the company’s real estate team, procurement team, and Retail leadership on contractual and legal matters to ensure best practices across all departments.
• Establish and develop relationships with outside counsel and industry associations, including global legal relationships established by General Counsel.
• Assist with other legal matters as needed, including regulatory compliance and corporate governance.

What are we looking for?

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Passed the bar exam in at least one state (if practicing in a state that requires an in-house license, secure mandatory in-house license)
• Proficient in various desktop tools including MSOffice Programs (i.e. Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, etc.), and familiar with data and workflow management systems such as real estate and project management and vendor and contract management solutions
• Knowledge of consumer regulations, including consumer protection, consumer finance, secured transactions, commercial contract, and automotive franchise laws is preferred
• Understanding of the automotive retail business model, including dealership operations and financing, is preferred
• Work experience in-house (preferably in a consumer-facing industry) or serving as external counsel to consumer-facing businesses is preferred
• Demonstrated experience in contracts law and/or real estate law
• 5+ years’ experience in a law firm and/or in-house corporate setting, with specific focus on real estate transactions and commercial contract law
• Proven track record of negotiating and managing complex contracts and transactions
• Demonstrated ability to provide legal advice in a business context, balancing legal risks with business objectives
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with all levels within the organization

• Excellent analytical, communication, legal research an