General Counsel

Viela Bio is looking for a talented and highly motivated General Counsel. This person will be responsible for leading corporate strategic and tactical legal initiatives. The general counsel provides senior management with effective advice on company strategies and their implementation, manages the legal function and obtains and oversees the work of outside counsel. The general counsel is directly involved in complex business transactions and negotiating critical contracts.

Key Responsibilities:

Participates in the definition and development of corporate policies, procedures and programs and provides continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications of all matters.

Serves as key lawyer/legal advisor on all major business transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures.

Judges the merits of major court cases filed against or on behalf of the company, works with the appropriate executive(s) to define a strategic defense and approves settlements of disputes where warranted.

Assumes ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the company conducts its business in compliance with applicable SEC et al. laws and regulations.

Structures and manages the company’s internal legal function and staff.

Oversees the selection, retention, management and evaluation of all outside counsel.

Advises on legal aspects of the company’s financing, including assessing and advising on current and future business structures and legal entities.

This position will manage responsibilities for Commercial compliance and Advocacy team members.

Desired Skills and Experiences:

Proven general counseling experience in the biotechnology business environment.

Overall broad legal knowledge (corporate law, litigations, labor law, etc).

In-depth understanding of how legal issues affect organizations.

Ability to develop legal strategy and objectives.

Well-versed in how businesses operate with financial acumen.

High degree of professional ethics, integrity and gravitas.

Excellent judgement and analytical skills.

First class interpersonal and communication skills.

Ability to anticipate legal issues or risks and to “see around the corner”.

Education:

J.D. degree

MA or BSc in Business Administration will be considered an asset