Lead Counsel Securities & Governance

Department: Legal

Our Company Promise

We are committed to provide our Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all, Employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer.

Job Description:

Job Summary

All of Southwest's People come together to deliver on our Purpose; Connecting People to what's important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel. The Lead Counsel Securities and Governance delivers on our Purpose by serving as a legal contact for the Board of Directors, Investor Relations, Financial Reporting, Treasury, Accounting, Tax, Internal Audit, and other departments on all matters related to securities, executive compensation, and governance matters. This role will provide legal advice and assist with the preparation of documents, including SEC filings, company communications, investor relations matters, and various corporate governance matters. The Lead Counsel Securities and Governance is detail-oriented and a skilled communicator who looks forward to making a meaningful impact on the Southwest operation.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a legal contact for the Board of Directors, investor relations, financial reporting, treasury, accounting, tax, internal audit, and other departments on all matters related to securities and governance matters.
• Assists with fulfilling public company reporting and disclosure requirements, including SEC reports, proxy statements, and Section 16 filings.
• Provides support to the Board of Directors and the executive leadership team on governance- and shareholder-related matters, including preparation and review of materials for board and shareholder meetings.
• Identify and analyze legal issues, draft key documents, present clear recommendations, and provide legal advice and counsel on complex issues to minimize company exposure to liability or to ensure legal compliance with governmental rules and regulations.
• Represent & negotiate on behalf of the Company within specified practice area.
• Advise Company departments through complex legal issues within specified area of practice.
• Handle complex legal projects, evaluate and determine appropriate legal course of action to meet client needs.
• Assist the company's General Counsel, Associate General Counsels, & Assistant General Counsels in overseeing the Company's legal proceedings.
• Prepare and render legal opinions, draft legal documents, policies, resolutions, and reports on topics in area of practice.
• Analyze and interpret existing Company agreements to provide advice and guidance.
• Assist with the preparation and review of corporate filings, records, or shareholder communications.
• Stay current on legal practices by performing extensive law research and analysis.
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Knowledge of economic and financial principles and the reporting of financial data.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Skilled in identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Skilled in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Ability and judgment to handle and resolve issues related to sensitive and confidential legal matters under pressure.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with executives and General Counsel Department staff, clients, outside counsel, vendors, and others.
• Ability to perform efficiently and effectively on multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Ability to use a computer keyboard and word processing applications with sufficient speed to meet demands of job.

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED
• Required: Bachelor's Degree
• Required: Advanced Law Degree from accredited school

Experience

• Expert level experience, expansive and far-reaching knowledge as a licensed practicing attorney, and experience in-house at a large public company.

Licensing/Certification

• Required: Must be a current member in good standing of a bar association.

Physical Abilities

• Ability to perform work duties from work station/desk/office area for extended periods of time.
• Ability to communicate and interact with others in the English language to meet the demands of the job.
• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy to meet the demands of the job.

Other Qualifications

• Must maintain a well-groomed appearance per Company appearance standards as described in established guidelines.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be able to comply with Company attendance standards as described in established guidelines.
• Must be willing to travel when required.
• Must be able to work flexible schedule to include non-business days and hours as needed to meet client needs.

Pay & Benefits:

Competitive market salary from $217,920 - $236,080 depending on qualifications and experience. For eligible Leadership and individual contributor roles, additional bonus opportunities are available and awarded at the discretion of the company.

Benefits you'll love:

• Fly for free, as a privilege, on any open seat on all Southwest flights (your eligible dependents too).
• Southwest will help fund your Retirement Savings Plan with Company contributions up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings.
• Potential for annual Profit Sharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan- when Southwest profits, you profit.
• Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents (including pets).
• Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You will have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan with coverage retroactively available to your first day of employment.
• Explore more Benefits you'll love: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits

*Pay amount does not guarantee employment for any particular period of time.

**401(k) match contributions are subject to the plan's vesting schedule and applicable IRS limits.

***Profit-sharing contributions are subject to plan's vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company.

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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