General Counsel

Flow Kana is a leader in sustainable, sun-grown cannabis representing two of California's most special micro-climates and the small farmer ecosystems. We give scale to premier, artisan farmers in Mendocino County and Southern Humboldt by distributing branded products through both wholesale and retail channels.

 

As a company we value humility, accountability, kindness, grit and a pioneering spirit. Through a values-driven approach and a regulated market, we have the chance to break down prohibition stigmas to show that cannabis will play an important role in treating many common medical conditions.

 

The General Counsel will serve as a member of the executive management team for Flow Kana. Reporting to the CFO, the General Counsel is responsible for leading corporate strategic and tactical legal initiatives. The General Counsel will provide leadership and guidance on a broad range of legal matters affecting both day-to-day and longer term business operations, manage corporate legal functions, partner with stakeholders on internal legal matters, and obtain and oversee the work of outside counsel. 

Functional Leadership

• Serve as a key legal advisor on all major business transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures; advise on legal aspects of the company’s financing, including assessing and advising on current and future business structures and legal entities.  
• Provide day-to-day legal advice, in a pragmatic and collaborative manner, to assist the business in achieving its objectives in a legally compliant and ethical manner.
• Manage any dispute resolution and/or litigation that might arise in the conduct of the Company's business/relationships with internal or external parties.
• Investigate and research claims by and against the company and proactively anticipate and guard against legal risks facing the company.
• Advises on corporate governance matters, including Board of Directors and stockholder matters.
• Oversee all aspects of the company’s intellectual property protection.
• Negotiate commercial transactions on behalf of the company.
• Lead the process to create, train on, and maintain a contract management process; this includes developing  standard terms and conditions for the Company’s form agreements.
• Proactively identify and evaluate business and legal risks finding creative ways to mitigate them while achieving corporate goals.
• Structure and manage the company’s internal legal function and staff.
• Oversee the selection, retention, management and evaluation of all outside counsel.
• Provide leadership as a champion for our mission and core values.

Cross-functional Guidance

• Define and develop internal policies, procedures and programs, providing counsel and guidance on legal matters that directly impact the entire organization.
• Work cross-functionally to identify risks and provide strategic, practical and creative legal and business advice.
• Structure, review, draft, negotiate and advise on a broad range of sales, commercial, and technology contracts, transactions and agreements (e.g. vendor, services, consulting, leases, partner program and licenses), and advise on contract status, legal risks, and liabilities.
• Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer on activities related to corporate financing and external reporting; managing SEC compliance may be on the horizon.
• Provide training and education to internal teams to assure conformity and consistency in application of legal policies and procedures as they relate to corporate transactions.

Industry-Specific Guidance

• Partner with VP, Policy to review, analyze and keep current on all local, state and federal legal developments affecting the cannabis and manufacturing/distribution industries.
• Partner with VP, Policy to assess legal and regulatory developments on the local, state, and federal, level that may impact the company.

REQUIREMENTS & JOB SPECIFICATIONS

• JD and active California Bar Member.
• 8+years of relevant legal experience with 3+ years in-house at a cannabis, technology or manufacturing/distribution company; must have a broad range of knowledge that includes intellectual property, employment, regulatory, consumer packaged goods, real estate and tax law.
• Broad knowledge of intellectual property law, including patent, trademark and copyright law and intellectual property licensing matters; demonstrated strategic approach to anticipate future business, competitive and legal risks. 
• Experience drafting and negotiating a wide variety of commercial agreements, including customer contracts, technology licensing agreement, supply, manufacturing and distribution agreements.
• Ability to leverage your deep understanding of regulated industries and financial acumen with strong commercial instincts to balance the company’s strategic goals and risk tolerance in all corporate transactions. 
• Experience with cost-effective management of outside legal resources.
• Experience and knowledge in risk management and evaluation.
• Ability to lead the Legal function from a collaborative, team-based/partnership approach.
• An excellent strategist and negotiator.
• Exceptional written and communication skills, including strong proofreading/editing and presentation skills.
• Must be a self-motivated, hands-on executive who functions effectively in an entrepreneurial, fast growing, startup environment.
• Personal qualities of integrity and ethics.
• Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to stay calm under challenging circumstances.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously, with effective resolution of conflicting priorities.
• Ability to travel 10-20% of the time.
• Prior experience working with the SEC or related securities regulator a plus.

Flow Kana provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.