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Associate Counsel (Global)

Manila

The Associate Counsel (Global) is a mid-level attorney based in or around the metro Manila area. This role is responsible for supporting the company’s global business by providing practical, business-oriented legal guidance across intellectual property, commercial contracting, data privacy, and general corporate matters.

A core focus of the role is managing and helping shape Balsam’s intellectual property strategy, particularly trademark and patent portfolio management, while serving as a trusted commercial advisor to the business. Additionally, Associate Counsel will provide leadership and oversight across all areas of legal risk, including contracts, marketing & advertising compliance, litigation, data privacy, policy development, and legal process optimization. As a member of the extended Legal & Regulatory leadership team, this role advises on enterprise-level legal matters and contributes to the legal vision for Balsam’s growth and compliance globally. Associate Counsel will serve as a dedicated liaison for the team handling growth initiatives and new markets.

While the preference is for a candidate with a strong working knowledge of intellectual property concepts, management, and transactions, generalists with a strong academic and job experience background and willingness to learn will be considered.

What you’ll be doing:

Intellectual Property & Brand Protection

  • Manage and help shape Balsam’s global trademark portfolio, including clearance, prosecution strategy, maintenance, and coordination with outside counsel.
  • Lead legal brand protection initiatives and tasks.
  • Provide practical guidance on copyrights, patents, and IP licensing, handling routine matters internally and managing external counsel for complex issues.
  • Oversee IP disputes, managing the defense and/or settlement of claims raised against Balsam as well as actions taken against third parties who infringe Balsam’s IP.
  • Oversee domain name portfolio.

Commercial Contracts & Business Support

  • Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including vendor and supply-chain agreements, product development and manufacturing agreements, technology and SaaS agreements, marketing and brand partnership agreements, and (potentially) real estate leases.
  • Work closely with and provide practical advice and strategy to internal business teams in connection with contract negotiations.
  • Manage external counsel when deeper expertise on a given contract is needed.

Data Privacy & Regulatory Compliance

  • Support global data privacy matters, including vendor DPAs and marketing privacy issues, with the expectation of growing responsibility over time.
  • Work collaboratively within Legal & Regulatory Team to address shifting data privacy requirements in the geographies in which Balsam does business.

Litigation & Risk Management
Support litigation and dispute management, including coordination with outside counsel and internal stakeholders, and assist with risk identification and mitigation strategies.

Global Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Collaborate with global teams (Legal, Finance, Tax, HR, Compliance, Product, Marketing) to drive legal initiatives that impact the business.
  • Lead cross-border legal projects and contribute to international expansion, regulatory filings, and compliance programs.
  • Serve as the dedicated legal team liaison to the teams handling emerging markets, new business ventures, and other nascent growth projects.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

  • Conduct and oversee legal research needed to complete your projects.
  • Manage certain law firm and vendor relationships.
  • Attend multiple early morning and/or evening video calls each week in collaboration with vendors and internal teams across geographies.
  • Develop internal expertise and advise internal team on marketing laws and regulations, including pricing strategies and related antitrust concerns.
  • Contribute to legal process improvement and knowledge sharing; mentor junior team members or assume limited people management responsibilities as appropriate:
  • Performs other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

What we're looking for:

  • Bachelor’s degree and JD (or equivalent) required.
  • Active member in good standing of the Philippine Bar.
  • Minimum of 6–10 years of legal experience with a mix of law firm and in-house experience. Relevant government experience may be considered.
  • Strong working knowledge of trademark and general IP legal matters.
  • Commercial contract drafting and negotiation experience.
  • Basic understanding of ecommerce, retail, and/or consumer product regulatory landscapes preferred.
  • Exposure to data privacy is a plus; willingness to learn required.
  • Willingness and ability to research and advise internal stakeholders on laws and regulations in multiple geographies.
  • Exceptional critical thinking, judgment, and project management skills.
  • Willingness to work in close cooperation with the rest of the Legal & Regulatory Team.
  • Willingness to be available for several off-hours calls each week.
  • Willingness to try and use new AI tools to perform work without overreliance on them.

Location: The Associate Counsel (Global) position is a remote working position for Balsam International Unlimited Philippine ROHQ in Manila. Team members in the Philippines are located within Metro Manila, Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, Rizal, and Tarlac areas only.

Our must-haves:

  • Must attend occasional in-person meetings.
  • Must have a fast, reliable DSL, Fiber, or Broadband connection (not mobile or broadband stick) as the primary internet connection with a minimum actual speed of 50MBPS.

Note: An online assessment will also be part of the recruitment process.

Status: This is a full-time, permanent position with benefits.

Hardware Provision: Company-issued Laptop will be provided on your first day.

At Balsam International, we strive to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package. For permanent, full-time team members, this includes:

  • Government-mandated Benefits (SSS, PAG-IBIG, PhilHealth)
  • 13th Month Pay
  • Paid Leaves. We use time off to rest, go on vacation, or just sleep in! Our paid time off is flexible to our needs.
  • Internet Subsidy. With internet allowance, we are set up for success.
  • Healthcare Coverage (+ 2 dependents). We worry less about rising medical costs with flexible quality healthcare benefits.
  • Maternity, Paternity, and Solo Parent Benefit. We make sure parents are supported while they navigate work and family life.
  • Continuous Learning and Professional Development Benefit. Our professional and personal development are fully supported. Whether it be online courses, workshops or books!
  • Mental Health Support. We manage work and life's challenges through Mental Health Day breaks, 24/7 professional counselling, and curated webinars.
  • Company Incentive. An additional cash-based perk for all our Brandits based on company's performance.
  • Meeting and Team Building Allowance. Happy tummies make our meetings more fun and productive!
  • Shutdown Week. We can spend more time on things that matter with an additional one-week paid time off on top of paid leaves.
  • Volunteer Time Off. With two paid days off, we are able to volunteer for advocacies we believe in.
  • Bereavement Leave. We get additional paid leaves when a loved one passes to grieve and provide immediate support to our families.

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