Jobs › Zekelman Industries

Corporate Counsel

Zekelman Industries · Chicago, IL · $135,000–$185,000 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 20, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

How do you give legal advice that the business will actually follow instead of work around?

What they are checking: Whether they turn legal analysis into practical options with a clear recommendation, which this posting asks for.

Tell me about an employment matter you advised on. How did you work with HR?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle employment issues carefully and partner with HR on fair, defensible outcomes.

Tell me about a time you spotted a legal risk before anyone asked you to look.

What they are checking: Whether they think proactively about risk, which is more valuable than only reacting to requests.

What would you do

An Operations leader wants to sign a vendor agreement today with terms you think are risky. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain the risk plainly, offer fixes and let the business make an informed choice.

You get urgent requests from Finance, Tax and HR on the same day. How do you prioritize?

What they are checking: Whether they triage by business risk and deadlines and communicate timelines clearly to each requester.

How would you explain a complicated indemnification clause to a plant manager?

What they are checking: Whether they can make legal concepts simple and practical for non-lawyers, which is central to this role.

About the work

Walk me through how you review a commercial supply contract for a steel manufacturer. What clauses do you focus on first?

What they are checking: Whether they know the terms that carry real risk, like limitation of liability, warranties, pricing and force majeure.

What corporate governance work have you supported, such as board materials, entity management or approvals?

What they are checking: Whether they have hands-on governance experience for a company with many entities and operations.

How do you manage outside counsel on litigation to keep costs reasonable and outcomes good?

What they are checking: Whether they direct outside counsel with clear strategy and budgets rather than just forwarding bills.

What regulatory compliance areas would you expect to matter most for a domestic steel pipe and tube manufacturer?

What they are checking: Whether they think about areas like workplace safety, environmental rules and trade issues relevant to manufacturing.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Zekelman Industries.

You may not know our name, but you know our products. What we make is part the places where we live, work and play – all day, everyday. Zekelman is a family of companies — 100% domestic manufacturers — with a legacy dating back to 1877. We’re proud to be the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and the leading innovator in multi-family housing development. We believe in what we build and what we build, builds the world around us. Hospitals, hotels, schools, bridges, airports and more. Come build a career you believe in. About the Role As a Corporate Counsel at Zekelman Industries, you will play a key role in supporting the Company's legal department by providing practical legal guidance across a broad range of business matters, including commercial contracts, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, employment matters, risk management, and litigation support. This position requires strong legal analysis, sound business judgment, and the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical solutions that support organizational objectives. You will collaborate closely with leaders and stakeholders across Human Resources, Finance, Operations, Tax, and other business functions, ensuring effective legal support while helping identify and mitigate organizational risk. You will serve as a key legal resource to Company leadership while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations and Company policies. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex business challenges, builds strong relationships across the organization, and delivers practical, business-oriented legal advice. This is a hybrid role located at our headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. What You'll Do • Provide legal guidance on corporate, commercial, operational, employment, and regulatory matters to support business objectives. • Review, draft, negotiate, and manage commercial contracts, vendor agreements, nondisclosure agreements, leases, licensing agreements, and other legal documents. • Identify legal and business risks associated with proposed transactions and recommend practical solutions to mitigate exposure. • Advise internal stakeholders regarding compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. • Support corporate governance activities, including legal entity maintenance, corporate records management, annual filings, and compliance requirements. • Assist with mergers, acquisitions, financing transactions, commercial real estate matters, and other strategic business initiatives. • Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and communicate potential business and operational impacts. • Assist with managing litigation, claims, disputes, and administrative proceedings in partnership with outside counsel and internal stakeholders. • Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda, reports, and analyses for management and business leaders. • Collaborate with Human Resources, Finance, Operations, Tax, and other departments to provide timely legal counsel and support. • Participate in developing and delivering legal and compliance training programs for employees and management. • Support continuous improvement initiatives related to legal operations, document management, and risk management practices. • Manage relationships with outside counsel and other professional advisors. • Mentor and support less experienced team members. • Adhere to the Company's hybrid work policy and maintain consistent on-site attendance as required. • Lead and promote healthy and safe work practices as required by regulatory agencies and Company policy. • Perform other duties as assigned. Who You Are • Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. • Active Bar membership in good standing. • 3-5 years of experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal environment. • Experience advising on corporate, commercial, regulatory and compliance matters. • Manufacturing, industrial, construction, real estate, or corporate in-house experience preferred. • Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating commercial contracts. • Strong knowledge of corporate and commercial law. • Strong legal research, analytical, and problem-solving skills. • Ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice and recommendations. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization. • Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment. • Demonstrated sound judgment and ability to maintain confidentiality. • Detail-oriented, conscientious, and highly organized with a strong focus on accuracy. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and legal research tools. What You'll Get Zekelman Industries offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-quality medical and dental benefits. In addition, we have an amazing tuition assistance program, a bonus plan, a 401(k) plan with a generous company match, loyalty awards, and much more. • Competitive Compensation • Bonus Plan & Profit-Sharing Opportunities • 401(k) with Company Match • Comprehensive Health, Dental & Vision Insurance • Tuition Assistance Program • Paid Vacation & Holidays • Employee Loyalty Awards Compensation & Benefits Below is the expected base salary range for this position. This is a good-faith estimate, and offers will be determined based on experience, education, skill set, and interview performance. Base Salary Range: $ 135,000 - $185,000 USD Additional compensation may include: ✔ Yearly merit increases ✔ Profit-sharing bonus opportunities Zekelman Industries offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-quality medical and dental benefits.  In addition, we have an amazing tuition assistance program, a bonus plan, a 401(k) plan with a generous company match, immediate vesting, and much more. M/F/D/V We are Zekelman Industries. We manufacture superior quality tubular and related products, and provide outstanding service for our valued customers. We seek to continuously advance the skills and opportunities of our employees, utilizing the latest technology and management tools available to consistently increase profitability and the enterprise value of Zekelman Industries and of our customers.

Apply at Zekelman Industries