Associate Counsel Newark, NJ Full-Time – Onsite Salary: $95,000 – $130,000 Description / Position Overview This role owns the execution of transactional and commercial legal work that supports day-to-day business operations. The Associate Counsel is responsible for contract review, legal risk identification, and providing practical legal guidance across the organization. This role exists to ensure that business activities are supported by clear, efficient, and well-structured legal processes while minimizing risk. This is a hands-on individual contributor role with meaningful ownership, requiring the ability to operate independently, prioritize effectively, and deliver clear, business-focused legal solutions. Responsibilities Contracting & Legal Execution • Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including vendor contracts, service agreements, SaaS agreements, and leases • Ensure contracts are clear, enforceable, and aligned with business objectives • Manage contract workflows to ensure efficiency, consistency, and proper documentation Risk Management & Legal Guidance • Identify legal risks and provide practical, business-oriented solutions • Advise internal teams on contracts, operational decisions, and risk considerations • Balance legal risk with business speed and execution needs Cross-Functional Support • Partner with internal teams across operations, finance, HR, and sales to support business initiatives • Provide timely legal input on day-to-day operational matters • Ensure alignment between legal processes and business needs Compliance & Governance • Support regulatory compliance and internal governance initiatives • Assist with policy development and ensure adherence to internal standards • Support internal investigations and compliance-related matters Outside Counsel Coordination • Coordinate with external counsel on specialized matters • Ensure efficient and cost-effective use of outside legal resources Success in This Role • Contracts are reviewed and executed efficiently with minimal delays • Legal risks are identified early and mitigated effectively • Business teams receive clear, practical, and timely legal guidance • Contract workflows are organized, consistent, and well-documented • Strong alignment between legal support and operational needs Requirements • Juris Doctor (JD) and active bar admission in good standing • Experience in transactional or commercial law (law firm or in-house) • Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills • Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities • Practical, business-oriented mindset with strong judgment • Strong communication and interpersonal skills • Ability to operate in a fast-paced, execution-focused environment Must-Have Capabilities • Strong ownership mindset with ability to manage legal work independently • Ability to balance risk with business needs and timelines • Clear, practical communication across non-legal stakeholders • Strong attention to detail with structured thinking Final Invitation to Apply If you are a practical, business-oriented legal professional who takes ownership of your work and can operate independently while supporting a fast-moving organization, we encourage you to apply. Email Resume: Joel@maiplacement.com Apply Online: https://jobs.crelate.com/portal/maiplacement/job/5jtngjbdc4bz4wq95skzn7wbqe?crt=338 Refer a friend, get up to $1000!