Legal Affairs Lead

As Legal Affairs Lead, you will be responsible in overseeing legal operations, including contract review, legal research, due diligence, and trademark administration, while ensuring compliance and protecting the company's legal and intellectual property interests. You will ensure the timely execution of legal processes, the maintenance of accurate records, the resolution of legal issues, and the provision of administrative legal support. By safeguarding legal interests and ensuring regulatory compliance, you will enable the company to operate effectively and mitigate risks.

I. LEGAL DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT

• Prepare, draft, and review legal documents such as MOAs, MOUs, contracts, pleadings, briefs, notices, and other legal communications to ensure the company's legal activities are compliant with applicable laws and regulations.
• Maintain an up-to-date legal registry by accurately recording contracts, agreements, legal documents, and regulatory compliance documentation for internal reference and audit purposes, facilitating effective risk management and compliance.
• File, store, and organize legal documents according to company policies and procedures to ensure all legal documents are secure, easily retrievable, and compliant with data protection regulations
• Coordinate the delivery, signing, and correction of legal documents with external counsel and relevant stakeholders to facilitate the timely execution of agreements.
• Act as the liaison between the company and external legal counsel on trademark filings, disputes, and infringement issues to ensure efficient resolution of matters and protection of the company's intellectual property rights.

II. TRADEMARK ADMINISTRATION

• Oversee the preparation of forms and documents required for both domestic and international trademark applications and coordinate with accredited law offices/external legal counsel for registration processes.
• Collaborate with the International Business Group to prioritize brands for international trademark registrations.
• Monitor and track the status of trademark applications and registrations to proactively address potential conflicts or issues, minimizing the risk of trademark disputes,
• Provide regular updates and reports on trademark application status to relevant departments such as Marketing, New Business Development, and International Business, ensuring alignment across departments.
• Ensure timely payment of fees for trademark maintenance to maintain the validity and protection of trademarks, preventing the expiration of trademark rights and safeguarding the company's brand assets.

III. LEGAL RESEARCH AND DUE DILIGENCE

• Conduct comprehensive legal research on laws, regulations, and case law to support the preparation of legal documents and provide advice to internal stakeholders.
• Perform in-depth legal research on Intellectual Property (IP) issues, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, to identify risks and opportunities for the company.
• Lead the investigation and evaluation of legal issues/cases related to ongoing projects, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and providing guidance on risk management.
• Provide timely reports and recommendations based on research findings to the Legal and Compliance Group Manager and relevant teams, ensuring that decision-makers are well-informed on legal matters and can act in a legally sound manner.

IV: THIRD-PARTY LAW FIRM MANAGEMENT

• Manage relationships with third-party retainer law firms, ensuring efficient case handling and alignment with the company's legal needs.
• Supervise external counsel on case progression, ensuring timely updates, and adherence to legal strategies and budget constraints.
• Evaluate the performance of third-party law firms and provide feedback to improve the quality and efficiency of legal services rendered.

V: ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND COORDINATION

• Create and maintain an appropriate filing system and repository of salient legal documents for the Department.
• Coordinate and schedule meetings, court cases, and consultations with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide administrative support for legal processes, including the preparation of meeting materials, legal briefings, and other necessary documentation.
• Monitor and report on relevant government issuances and regulatory updates, ensuring the company remains in compliance with evolving legal requirements.
• Assist the Customer Relations team in documenting and responding to customer feedback or complaints related to legal matters.
• Ensure smooth internal communication and alignment across departments to fulfill legal and regulatory obligations.

• College graduate, preferably with a degree in Legal Management, Political Science, Law or similar courses
• Two (2) to five (5) years of experience in legal affairs, regulatory compliance, or as a paralegal, with a strong focus on supporting legal operations.
• Experience in contract law, trademark regulations, and intellectual property matters, including drafting, review, and compliance management.
• Knowledge of domestic and international trademark laws and regulations to be able to handle trademark applications and registrations, including monitoring deadlines and resolving conflicts or disputes.
• Expertise in drafting and proofreading legal documents, including contracts, pleadings, briefs, and notices, with attention to detail and legal accuracy. 
• Ability to maintain and manage a comprehensive legal registry and filing system for contracts and other legal documents. 
• Skilled in conducting in-depth legal research on laws, regulations, and case law to provide accurate and actionable advice.
• Ability to analyze intellectual property matters (patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets) to identify risks and opportunities.
• Familiarity with applicable laws and regulations affecting the business, ensuring the company remains compliant with legal requirements.
• Ability to handle legal disputes and facilitate the resolution of issues in collaboration with external counsel and internal stakeholders.
• Strong ability to liaise effectively with internal departments, external legal counsel, and regulatory bodies to facilitate smooth legal operations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other software relevant to legal operations.
• Willing to be assigned in Ortigas, Pasig City