Senior Counsel – EHS & Litigation

Key Responsibilities

• The Senior Counsel – EHS & Litigation will collaborate closely with senior leadership to develop and implement global legal strategies for EHS compliance and litigation. This role will advise a geographically dispersed manufacturing organization on a broad range of EHS matters and will serve as the lead legal advisor on remediation matters involving active and legacy sites.
• Specific duties and responsibilities include:
• Serve as the lead legal advisor in developing and refining standard operating procedures, tools and guidance addressing specific EHS legal and regulatory requirements, including compliance with the following U.S. laws and applicable state and international counterparts:
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
• Toxic Substances Control Act
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
• Clean Air Act
• Clean Water Act
• OSHA General Industry Standard and Process Safety Management
• Advise manufacturing sites on compliance with EHS laws, regulations and internal corporate EHS standards, including reviewing and drafting regulatory filings and communications with EHS regulatory agencies.
• Lead legal strategy on environmental remediation matters and enforcement defense, including developing strategy, negotiating with government agencies and other potentially responsible parties, and overseeing remedy implementation at the Company’s active and legacy sites.
• Develop, refine and deliver EHS training content.
• Support and participate in EHS audits and related corrective action plans.
• Coordinate with Risk Management and the Company’s insurers regarding coverage for legacy environmental and toxic tort liabilities.
• Advise the Global Regulatory organization on compliance with TSCA, REACH and FIFRA.
• Provide support for related disputes, arbitrations and litigation.
• Candidate Profile
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school is required
• Active license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and membership in good standing with the Pennsylvania Bar
• At least seven years of experience as a subject matter expert across multiple areas of EHS law, particularly U.S. EHS law. A minimum of two years of in-house experience in a global manufacturing organization is preferred.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to build relationships across cultures and legal frameworks in a global environment and to foster a results-oriented culture.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. environmental regulations, permitting, compliance, due diligence and remediation projects, together with familiarity with comparable requirements outside the United States.
• Strong strategic thinking and tactical/execution skills.
• Experience managing and litigating complex environmental remediation and other EHS matters including negotiating their resolution.
• Experience managing and litigating toxic tort and related litigation would be a plus.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work, manage deadlines and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced, demanding and evolving environment.
• Experience working with U.S. environmental regulatory authorities; experience with non-U.S. environmental regulatory authorities is preferred.
• Ability to harmonize global, country, regional and local objectives in diversified manufacturing and international business environments.
• Experience in the chemical or life sciences sectors is a plus.
• Experience with relevant pesticide regulations, such as the U.S. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), is a plus.
• Experience in an in-house legal department is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment with limited direct supervision.
• Core competencies include action orientation, timely and high-quality decision-making, effective communication, time management, problem solving, creativity, negotiation, presentation skills, outside counsel and related budget management, and team building.
• FMC is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Employment decisions at FMC are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. We value diversity and strive to ensure that our hiring and employment practices support a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.