Do you love spending time outside – paddling, cycling, hiking, or just being in nature? Are you excited about an opportunity to use your legal expertise to enable a life outside for everyone. REI Co-op, a growing, purpose-driven specialty retailer and leader in outdoor recreation, is looking for a Sr. Counsel – Marketing, Media & Intellectual Property. 

At REI, we believe time outside is fundamental to a life well lived. We exist to inspire and enable a life outside for everyone. To deliver on that promise, we are working with our 15,000 employees, 20M members and the broader outdoor community toward a reality where everyone has the opportunity to be themselves and find their place in the outdoors. For us, that means:

• Investing in work that removes the barriers people and communities face to getting outside
• Delivering relevant products, experiences, and expertise to equip and inspire a new generation of outdoor stewards
• Cultivating a workforce that reflects the demographics of the markets we serve
• Leading the industry’s efforts to welcome people and communities historically underrepresented into outdoor media and culture

REI’s Legal team is a key partner to achieving our vision. The Sr. Counsel – Marketing, Media & Intellectual Property will provide advice and leadership on legal issues relating to the Co-op’s approach to its consumers and members. This person advises on legal issues relating to the organization’s marketing strategies, retail pricing, brand, and its growing entertainment portfolio – all in service to enabling a life outside for everyone. This person will serve as a trusted business partner to leaders across our organization, including counseling executive leadership like REI’s Chief Marketing Officer, and be a key member of the legal team, reporting to the General Counsel.

Responsibilities

• Counsel on legal issues relating to advertising/marketing materials, external communications, website posts, online campaigns, promotions, sweepstakes/contests, social media platforms, email and text marketing, and REI’s presence online generally, in social and mobile. 
• Advise on strategic co-brand and marketing partnerships as well as local marketing initiatives.
• Advise internal teams on compliance around pricing, sales and promotions, exclusive offers, and membership programs.
• Monitor, stay up-to-date, and advise on related legal and regulatory requirements, such as FTC guidelines, CAN-SPAM, TCPA, and state advertising, promotion, and consumer protection laws.
• Manage the trademark and copyright intellectual property portfolio and counsel on intellectual property issues in media campaigns for new products and in digital/new media as well as our content business, like podcasts, films, and Uncommon Path assets.
• Provide legal support for a wide variety of contracts that relate to marketing, advertising, and related areas, e.g., content, talent, and influencer agreements.

• Manage disputes relating to advertising, sales, and intellectual property.
• Develop and conduct compliance trainings relating to marketing, intellectual property, and related topics (live and online).
• Proactively partner with other legal team members and business partners to identify and discuss legal and compliance related issues.
• Provide thought-leadership and set direction on legal issues impacting REI’s strategic goals and objectives.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in advertising/marketing and consumer protection law at a highly respected law firm or in-house corporate environment.
• Client counseling experience required, and litigation experience preferred.
• Expertise in variety of general corporate transactional matters, drafting contracts, managing intellectual property, and counseling on marketing/advertising and consumer law.
• J.D. required.
• Registered and in good standing with at least one State Bar and eligible to practice law in the State of Washington.

Essential Leadership Attributes

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while acting pragmatically to handle multiple projects at the same time effectively and efficiently.
• High level of character and personal integrity.
• Ability to build open, trusting, and honest relationships, effectively influencing a wide range of people.
• Willingness to lead projects independently, with initiative and ownership.
• Ability to communicate complex information in a clear manner, and drive direction for the organization.
• Team player with a positive attitude, self-confidence, enthusiasm, and resilience.
• Brings a creative, problem-solving perspective to challenging issues.
• Intellectual curiosity and desire to learn and develop new skills.
• Contributes to the success of company by leading or assisting with other projects as needed.
• Interest in leveraging technology for efficiency in legal operations.
• Experience in retail, consumer, or experiential/hospitality business preferred, but not required.