Associate Counsel

Job Description

The Associate Counsel reports directly to the Corporate Vice President, Legal and serves as a trusted legal advisor and business partner, supporting a broad range of commercial, corporate, compliance, and business legal matters across the organization. This role works closely with legal team members and business stakeholders to provide practical legal guidance, support commercial transactions, assist with corporate governance activities, manage legal risks, and help ensure compliance with applicable laws and company policies. The position offers an opportunity to develop a well-rounded in-house legal practice while collaborating across multiple functions and business units in a dynamic global environment.

What will your typical day look like?

Commercial Contracting, Litigation Support & General Business Support

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a variety of commercial agreements. 
• Serve as a strategic legal advisor and business partner to the Global Sourcing organization, providing practical guidance to support procurement objectives while effectively managing legal risk.
• Act as the escalation point for non-disclosure agreement reviews.
• Provide day-to-day legal support to business teams. 
• Assist business stakeholders in interpreting contractual obligations and resolving disputes and claims. 
• Support continuous improvement of contract templates, playbooks, legal processes and agreement databases.
• Help facilitate contract approval processes and ensure compliance with company policies. 
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to identify risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Assist with global initiatives on future contract lifecycle management system implementations and ongoing ownership of CLM system management and support.

Corporate Governance and Transactions

• Support corporate governance activities.
• Participate in due diligence efforts related to mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions.
• Assist with transaction documentation, closings, and post-closing integration activities.
• Support board, committee, and governance-related projects as assigned.
• Assist with M&A due diligence, corporate filings, and post-closing integration.
• Support litigation and dispute resolution matters.

Compliance Support

• Assist with compliance initiatives related to corporate policies and regulatory requirements. 
• Support investigations, audits, and compliance reviews as needed. 
• Help develop and maintain legal policies and procedures. 
• Assist in identifying and mitigating legal and business risks. 
• Partner with Compliance, Finance, Tax, and Human Resources on legal matters. 
• Support training initiatives related to ethics, compliance, and legal risk management. 

Information Governance & Other Support

• Play an active role in supporting the company’s information governance framework, helping ensure legal data is managed thoughtfully across its lifecycle.
• Partner with Legal, IT, Compliance, and Records teams to support data retention, classification, and defensible disposition practices.
• Assist with implementing and maintaining document organization standards within legal systems and shared repositories.
• Contribute to the selection, implementation, and ongoing management of a company-wide document management system, ensuring it aligns with legal and business needs.

Educational Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.

What do we want to know about you?

• 4-10 years of legal experience, preferably with a combination of law firm and/or in-house corporate legal department experience.  
• Experience drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and advising on commercial contracts and business transactions. 
• Working knowledge of corporate governance, contract law, compliance, and general corporate legal matters.  
• Ability to identify legal and business risks and provide practical, solution-oriented advice. 
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills. 
• Ability to provide general management support of litigation matters. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• English fluency.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.  
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams and build strong business relationships. 
• Strong business judgment and commitment to ethical and professional conduct.  
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications
• Preferred experience with legal technology tools and use artificial intelligence such as Harvey AI. 
• Familiarity with legal technology systems such as contract lifecycle management systems, document management systems, entity management systems, litigation hold systems is preferred. 

This role is also eligible for a performance bonus. More information on benefits offered, which include health, welfare, and retirement, is available at mywabtecbenefits.com.

Relocation assistance may be provided if eligibility requirements are met.

Wabtec will employ only those legally authorized to work in the U.S. for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable) and fitness for duty test (as applicable).

Fluency in English (written and spoken) required.

Additional Information

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $120600-171800 The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible.

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.
 

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.