Legal Counsel

Legal guidance and research

• Facilitate effective legal advice to business partners and other associates on matters such as marketing plans, employment, taxation, legal procedure that balances risks and benefits/opportunities. Assist in providing legal justification for important corporate initiatives.
• Keep abreast of legal development in the field and helps promote good practice including the implementation and maintenance/upkeep of systems, tools, and/or processes and ensure all Avon commercial requirements are satisfied.
• Establish the right structure and controls regarding the representative credit project, online sales and representative selling points with emphasis on competition law aspects.
• Ongoing activities will include supporting the delivery of training on the overall legal development policies, procedures and tools to increase awareness throughout the business.
• Facilitate the implementation of projects. A rollout of a project may include identification, preparation and communication to each rollout group, including an initial pilot group and management of all logistics for each group. Preparations may include documentation of all necessary materials, preparation of all delivery methods, tracking, follow up with all constituencies, and potentially may include direct involvement in implementation. A support plan and process must be in place to handle all ongoing questions and support activities for the rollout groups.
• Ensures understanding by concerned associates of the legal principles underlying the advice given.

Contract Management

• Prepares, reviews and finalizes contracts and agreements of varying scope, including license agreements, IT contracts, manufacturing agreements, franchise contracts, if applicable, supplier agreements, Avon Representative contracts, policies and procedures.
• Creates and implements standard contracts / contract provisions for franchisees, if applicable, outside vendors, third-party manufacturers, leases and rentals. Ensures that standard terms are understood by field associates (Sales & Operations).
• Analyzes requested contract changes by third parties and advise on mutually acceptable arrangements. Pushes for the inclusion or retention of clauses which are favorable to Avon, with focus on commercial terms, protection of intellectual property rights, independence of contractors and Avon Representatives.
• Establish and maintain a filing and record keeping system for all documents related to the legal function, forms and approvals. Carry out and analyse due diligence information.
• This person will also be a point person and contact for all risk area related questions and support, ensuring they are delegated to the appropriate Avon lawyers or other subject matter experts and receive adequate advice, as necessary.

Litigation:

• Represents the company in litigation and similar matters before judicial and administrative bodies. Prepares pleadings, motions and memoranda for Avon.
• Advises on legal strategies for collection cases and employee cases and collaborates with external counsel, when necessary.
• Orients potential witnesses on their testimony; collates and safeguards documentary evidence.
• Reports to management on the status of cases and recommends courses of actions and implications.

Additional / Ad-hoc Duties:

Risk Management

• Minimizes our exposure and risk across projects. Proactively manage changes in project scope, identify potential crises, and devise contingency plans.

External Counsel Management:

• Liaises with external legal counsels on various matters.
• Assesses the strengths and weaknesses of external counsel.

Compliance:

• Ensures compliance with internal controls and the Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures.
• Implements the Global Legal Policy and other policies issued by the legal team.