Commercial Contracts Counsel

About Livent: Livent powers the things that power our lives. From the revolution in electric vehicle batteries and mobile devices to the strong, lightweight alloys and advanced polymers that take innovation further, we harness lithium technology to help the world move forward—cleaner, healthier and more sustainably.

For nearly eight decades, we’ve been harnessing lithium’s potential to change the energy landscape. We are a pioneer in the lithium industry and have a rich history of breakthrough innovations and industry achievements, including partnering with Sony Corporation to develop the first ever Lithium-ion battery for commercial use.

Today, Livent builds on our heritage and is a global leader in the lithium industry with a differentiated product offering, proven track record and sustainability profile. Our customer portfolio includes some of the most dynamic companies in the world, including Tesla, and BMW Group.

Our customers look to us to meet the most demanding technical requirements, drawing upon our strengths in R&D with our advanced engineering capabilities, industry-leading materials science expertise, fully integrated global supply chain, and passion for continuous improvement and excellence.

Together, we work to safely and sustainably convert lithium’s potential into commercial progress, driving not only incremental improvements and also next generation, transformative opportunities.

For customers at the forefront of the once in a generation shift in how the world powers itself – and the fight against climate change – Livent is the lithium technology partner that’s leading the way.

Position Summary: This is an exciting opportunity to join Livent’s Law Department as Commercial Contracts Counsel. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in commercial contracting and strong legal drafting and negotiation skills.

This is a front-line role for a confident, proactive, business-minded lawyer that can independently manage highly diverse work and demands from all levels of the organization in an efficient and practical manner. This role will report to Livent’s Commercial Counsel.

Location: Hybrid Role (2 days in office in Charlotte, NC) or Remote (EST or CST time zone only)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as primary legal contact for the US-based Sales and Operational Procurement teams.
• Draft and advise on commercial sales agreements, with an emphasis on agreements for product sales, distributor and sales agency arrangements, and nondisclosure agreements.
• Draft and advise on procurement agreements for corporate and operations spend, with an emphasis on agreements for the purchase of goods and services.
• Assist Livent’s Commercial Counsel with the review and drafting of documents related to commercial collaborations and other strategic commercial transactions.
• Counsel clients on commercial contract interpretation, disputes, enforcement, processes, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Review and advise on product quality agreements and assist with the completion of customer certifications, questionnaires, and audits.
• Support ethics and compliance programs as they relate to commercial matters, including compliance training with respect to Livent’s corporate delegation of authority and contracting policies, competition law, conflicts of interest, etc.
• Provide overflow support on NDAs and other routine contracts managed by other Law Department lawyers.

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Education and Experience:

• Preferred 3-5 years legal experience, including law firm experience; in-house counsel experience is a plus.
• Considerable commercial experience; sound negotiator

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Superior communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively address and influence all levels of the organization, including the ability to effectively communicate how an issue impacts Livent from both a business and legal perspective.

• A practical, hands-on approach to the practice of law with a high degree of intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm to expand into other areas of practice needed to support the growing needs of the business.
• A business partner, who likes working side-by-side with businesspeople and is receptive to opposing views.

• The ability to work well both independently and as part of a highly collaborative and an international team, in a fast-paced cross-cultural environment.
• A strong work ethic and the ability to prioritize and follow through on numerous projects simultaneously.
• A general understanding of, or an interest in, manufacturing operations
• Strong academic credentials and bar admission (preferably North Carolina)
• International/global experience is a plus.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; climb or balance and taste or smell.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic). Ability to work in a confined area. Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period.

Safety Requirements: All employees are expected to carry out their work functions in a healthy and safe manner, to encourage and support safe work practices at all times, and to report and/or rectify any unsafe conditions that may come to their attention immediately.

Travel Required: None

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

LIVENT employs people across a broad range of occupations in locations across the world. We are looking for people to join us in creating, developing, and improving our products, our processes, and our markets. Employees enjoy competitive compensation, a menu of work/life benefits and opportunities to continue developing their skills and building their career.

LIVENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer, EEO, AAE, MFDV and supports a drug free workplace.