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Ulta Beauty · 15 hours ago

Sr Counsel Commercial Litigation

Bolingbrook, IL

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level

$200K/yr - $250K/yr

7+ years exp

Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer, providing a wide range of beauty products and services. They are seeking an experienced commercial litigator to manage all litigation matters, develop strategies, and align them with the company's business objectives while protecting its interests across various disputes.

BeautyConsumer GoodsCosmeticsRetail

Responsibilities

Lead and manage all the company’s non-employment litigation including class actions and individual plaintiff matters involving commercial and contract disputes, supplier and manufacturer issues, consumer protection claims, product-related matters, regulatory investigations, and general liability claims

Provide occasional support on employment and workers’ compensation litigation in partnership with labor and employment counsel and/or People Success

Select, retain and manage outside counsel, including budgeting and performance oversight, while acting as the primary in-house contact for litigation strategy across a nationwide litigation portfolio and overseeing case assessments, pleadings, discovery, depositions, motion practice, hearings, mediations, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation

Serve as primary point of contact for internal stakeholders regarding litigation matters

Oversee and coordinate responses to government inquiries, audits, and enforcement actions

Proactively identify legal and regulatory developments, emerging risks, and litigation trends; translate requirements and collaborate with business partners to develop actionable guidance for business leaders

Develop and execute creative litigation strategies aligned with business objectives and the company’s risk tolerance that protect the brand, enable business imperatives, and optimize financial outcomes

Advise internal stakeholders and collaborate cross-functionally with business units on litigation risks, potential exposure, and strategic options

Conduct legal reviews of retail initiatives and operations, ensuring alignment with commercial, consumer, and operational laws and regulations to provide proactive guidance that stops issues before they start

Mentor junior legal team members and support ongoing process improvement and knowledge-sharing across the Legal, Risk & Governance Department

Manage litigation budgets responsibly, ensuring transparency and cost discipline

Support Finance and Legal Operations in the preparation of budgets, forecasts, reserves, reporting, and spend analytics

Drive process improvements for litigation management, including the adoption of technology and data analytics

Maintain accurate litigation tracking and reporting for senior leadership

Lead special projects assigned by the V.P., Assistant General Counsel, including enterprise initiatives requiring litigation expertise or risk assessment

Model strong communication skills, responsiveness, and a consultative, solutions-focused approach in delivering legal services

Represent Ulta Beauty externally, including in professional associations, to advance the company’s interests

Qualification

Commercial litigation experienceLitigation strategy developmentManaging outside counselRetail operations experienceLegal matter-management systemsBusiness acumenCommunication skillsNegotiation skillsRelationship-building skillsStrategic thinking

Required

JD and strong academic credentials

License to practice law in at least one state

7+ years of commercial litigation experience gained through in-house roles, law firm practice, or preferably a combination of both representing large corporations

Proven ability to manage a high volume, complex docket while maintaining excellent judgment and attention to detail

Exercise sound judgment and provide practical, business-friendly legal advice in a fast-paced, operations-driven environment

Strong communication, ability to influence, and relationship-building skills with partners at all levels of the organization

Exceptional strategic thinking, negotiation, and advocacy skills

High level of professionalism, discretion, and business acumen

Preferred

Retail or consumer products operations and regulatory experience, with expertise in leveraging legal matter-management systems and technology are strongly preferred