General Counsel

Our client, a privately-held designer and manufacturer of precision-engineered architectural lighting fixtures, has engaged us to recruit its new General Counsel. This is a solo GC role that reports directly to the CEO and serves as the primary legal and strategic advisor to the business. The company is known globally for excellence, partnering with world-renowned architects and delivering products featured in marquee commercial, cultural, and hospitality projects across the country and abroad. We are searching for an experienced attorney who enjoys broad responsibility, direct influence on business strategy, and working with high-performing teams that value craftsmanship and innovation.

This is a tremendous opportunity to join a respected, founder-led organization with a collaborative culture, long-tenured employees, and a deep commitment to quality and continuous improvement. The GC will have a wide runway to shape the legal function, influence strategic decision-making, and lead initiatives beyond traditional legal work.

What You’ll Do

Serve as the company’s go-to advisor on legal strategy, risk management, and business execution. Key responsibilities include:

Commercial & Corporate Work

• Review, negotiate, and enhance contracts related to procurement, sales, construction, services, and real estate.
• Protect the company in dealings with customers, vendors, suppliers, and partners
• Maintain corporate records and support Board governance

Employment & HR

• Advise leaders on employee relations, terminations, policies, and compliance
• Partner with the HR Manager and outside counsel to strengthen HR processes

Intellectual Property & Innovation

• Work with outside counsel on trademarks, patents, and IP enforcement
• Support product innovation and engineering teams with IP strategy

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws
• Oversee and manage insurance program and advise on risk mitigation
• Oversee litigation and manage outside counsel relationships

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Advise the CEO on major business decisions and strategic initiatives
• Lead special projects such as risk assessments, AI/technology opportunities, and IT/business continuity planning

Why This Role Stands Out

This is a broad high-impact position at the center of the business. What makes it unique:

• Wide Scope & Impact: Influence decisions across operations, engineering, sales, HR, supply chain, and finance.
• Strategic Seat at the Table: Direct collaboration with the CEO and involvement in long-term planning.
• Exceptional Culture: Respectful, creative, and collaborative environment with low turnover and high employee pride.
• Prestige & Purpose: The company’s products appear in iconic global projects by leading architects and designers.
• Growth & Leadership: Shape the legal function and support the company’s next phase of growth.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• J.D. from a top-tier law school
• 10+ years of legal experience, ideally including both BigLaw and in-house
• Broad commercial experience (contracts, corporate, employment, risk, insurance, and litigation management)
• Superb judgment, excellent communication skills, high integrity, and a practical, business-minded approach
• Ability to build trust quickly with executives, engineers, and cross-functional leaders
• Experience managing outside counsel and working across diverse legal areas
• Confidence without ego, respectful, collaborative, and aligned with a humble, high-performance culture
• Interest in technology, operational excellence, and special projects beyond legal

This is an onsite role in San Antonio, Texas with a strong compensation package that will include relocation assistance for a non-local candidate.