Sr. Corporate Paralegal

Date: Sep 14, 2023

Location: Irvine, California, US

Company: Kia America, Inc.

At Kia, we’re creating award-winning products and redefining what value means in the automotive industry. It takes a special group of individuals to do what we do, and we do it together. Our culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative. Our people thrive on thinking differently and challenging the status quo. We are creating something special here, a culture of learning and opportunity, where you can help Kia achieve big things and most importantly, feel passionate and connected to your work every day.

Kia provides team members with competitive benefits including premium paid medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) plan matching of 100% up to 6% of the salary deferral, and time off starting at 14 days per year. Kia also offers company lease and purchase programs, company-wide holiday shutdown, paid volunteer hours, and premium lifestyle amenities at our corporate campus in Irvine, California.

Status

Exempt

Summary

Under the direct supervision of Supervisor and other Legal Department (“Department”) attorneys, this position provides corporate transactional/company governance/advertising legal services to Kia America, Inc. (“Company”), including, without limitation: (i) managing the administration of Department processes for handling business user requests for legal advice; (ii) reviewing and drafting contracts; (iii) reviewing advertising materials, press releases and training materials; (iv) maintaining and managing of trademark matters (including trademark searches, registration and renewal applications, and infringement disputes); (v) managing junior paralegals in the performance of the foregoing.

Major Responsibilities

1st Priority - 40%   

Contracts.

Manage, prepare/draft, review and revise Company contracts, e.g., vendor, service, license, sponsorship agreements, amendments, addendums, auto show, hotel and restaurant, Master Service Agmts, Statements of Work, Letters of Intent, etc. Provide strategic and practical advice to internal clients. Advise Dept Attorneys on contract status, summaries and have a comprehension of Company contracts. Coordinate/collaborate with business units and procurement dept. to bring contract to finalization.


2nd Priority - 15%

LDAR System.

Manage the department electronic system for matter intake assignment and the system process for approval and execution of all Company contracts; create weekly/monthly status reports regarding pending and completed Legal Department Assistance Request (LDAR) matters; assist in building a document repository of Company contracts and other legal matters.


3rd Priority - 15%

Advertising/Marketing.

Provide legal review of Company advertising/marketing materials, and provide legal advice to the Company. Includes internal and external materials, consumer facing materials, traditional advertising, digital social media, public relations materials, etc. to advise on legal requirements.

 

4th Priority - 15%

Paralegal Management and Supervision.

Manage, train and supervise junior paralegals in the performance of tasks as necessary or as requested by Supervisor and Department management for the timely and high quality provision of legal services.

 

 

5th Priority - 5%

Trademarks.

Responsible for researching and advising business units regarding trademark and new product name searches; coordinate with various departments to complete trademark registration filings and obtain specimens; review incoming emails from outside counsel and take appropriate actions; manage strict deadlines and manage multiple levels of input in parallel to meet filing deadlines; oversee trademark renewals and other filings.

 

6th Priority - 5%

Corporate Governance.

Assist Supervisor with managing and maintenance of corporate governance documentation, such as Board and Shareholder resolutions.

 

 

7th Priority - 5%

Department Support.

Provide support as necessary to the Department as requested by Supervisor and Department management on other functions of department and special projects.

Education/Certification

  • BA/BS degree with excellent academic credentials or equivalent experience

Overall Experience

  • Minimum 8+ years of experience as transactional paralegal (with contract drafting required)

Directly Related Experience

  • Trademarks experience preferred

  • Paralegal certificate preferred

  • Prior automotive or related functional experience preferred

Skills

Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, both verbally and in writing.
Excellent MS Office suite skills (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel).
Outstanding writing and editing skills.
Outstanding organizational skills.
Adaptability and willingness to work on a broad variety & high volume of legal matters and tasks, ranging from simple to complex.
Proficiency at handling a large volume of matters, including all-sizes of contracts in combination, while maintaining excellent attention to detail
Team player who is able to work independently as well as collaboratively.
Ability to build consensus with business clients in a calm, diplomatic and professional manner.
The successful candidate will be a practical-minded business attorney who has a “can do” attitude, is responsible, service-driven, enthusiastic, pro-active, and takes initiative and ownership of projects.
Comprehensive interpersonal skills with all levels of management.

Competencies

CHALLENGE - Solving Complex Problems
COLLABORATION - Building and Supporting Teams
CUSTOMER - Serving Customers
GLOBALITY - Showing Community and Social Responsibility
PEOPLE - Interacting with People at Different Levels

Pay Range

$76,535.00 - $102,445.86 

Pay will be based on several variables that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to, job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, etc.

 

Equal Employment Opportunities

KUS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, including pregnancy and childbirth and related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, legally protected physical disability or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, protected veteran or military status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  KUS complies with applicable law governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which KUS has offices.  The KUS EEO policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.

 

Disclaimer:  The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and for this position.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.


Job Segment: Advertising, PR, Procurement, Paralegal, Marketing, Automotive, Operations, Legal