In the pharmaceutical industry, legal counsel does more than manage risk they enable innovation, guide strategy, and ensure that life-changing products reach the people who need them. Upsher-Smith Laboratories is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to join their team in the Twin Cities. This is a role for a seasoned attorney who understands the complexities of the pharmaceutical landscape, from commercial contracting and promotional review to compliance and market access. You will work side-by-side with commercial, supply chain, and compliance teams, providing strategic advice that balances business goals with regulatory requirements. If you have a decade of legal experience in pharmaceutical or healthcare, a track record of negotiating complex agreements, and the business judgment to counsel leadership effectively, this Legal Counsel position offers meaningful work, competitive compensation, and the opportunity to shape outcomes at a respected organization.
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Company Overview
Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC is a trusted name in the pharmaceutical industry, dedicated to delivering high-quality medications that improve patient outcomes. With a focus on both generics and branded pharmaceuticals, the company combines scientific expertise with commercial excellence to bring products to market. Headquartered in Minnesota with a global reach, Upsher-Smith values collaboration, integrity, and innovation. They are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where every employee can contribute to the company’s mission.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Contracting:Â Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements, including sales and distribution agreements with wholesalers, GPOs, and specialty distributors; market access agreements covering rebates and chargebacks; vendor MSAs and SOWs; HCP consulting agreements; and patient support program contracts.
- Promotional Review:Â Serve as the legal reviewer on the Drug Promotion Review Team, ensuring all promotional materials from social media campaigns to field tools comply with FDA and FTC guidelines, including fair balance and claims substantiation.
- Compliance and Ethics:Â Partner with the Director of Compliance to provide training and guidance on anti-trust laws, anti-corruption regulations, government program requirements (Medicare/Medicaid), FDCA, DSCSA, Sunshine Laws, and privacy obligations. Advise on HCP interactions, speaker programs, grants, and field force conduct.
- Pricing and Market Access:Â Review pricing strategies, rebate structures, and patient affordability programs. Support trade strategy, including GPO and IDN contracting, specialty pharmacy agreements, and chargeback frameworks.
- Investigations and Disputes:Â Lead internal fact-finding for commercial incidents and coordinate with outside counsel on disputes, litigation, and regulatory inquiries. Manage legal holds, document preservation, and remediation plans.
- Training and Governance:Â Deliver onboarding and periodic training for commercial teams. Establish governance cadence, including monthly risk reviews and quarterly policy updates, in collaboration with commercial leadership.
- Strategic Partnership:Â Recognize and anticipate legal issues and business risks, communicating nature of issues and recommended remediation plans to leadership. Develop legal and business strategies in response to proposed opportunities and regulatory developments.
- Outside Counsel Management:Â Oversee general litigation activities, including counsel selection, budgeting, strategy, and document production.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree and admission to practice law in Minnesota.
- Minimum of 10 years of legal experience in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, or medical device industry.
- At least 3 years of in-house counsel experience.
- Experience with commercial litigation and litigation strategy.
- Technical expertise in contracts, promotional review, pricing and market access, HCP engagements, distribution and trade, and compliance frameworks.
- Business-oriented judgment, negotiation excellence, and strong stakeholder management skills.
- Crisp written and oral communication abilities, with proven project prioritization.
- Track record of collaborating effectively with cross-functional colleagues.
- Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, with the ability to analyze situations and generate practical solutions.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience with both generics and branded pharmaceuticals.
- Experience with pre-launch commercialization, generic products, and rare specialty products.
- Familiarity with global frameworks, including HIPAA-privacy and transparency regimes.
- Exposure to digital and field sales promotion within regulated constraints, including social media and speaker programs.
- Experience with supply chain, distribution, and third-party agreements.
- Experience working in a global organization.
Benefits and Perks
This full-time role offers a competitive compensation range of $196,304 to $294,455 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The position is onsite/hybrid, requiring residency in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Travel is minimal—less than 10%—primarily for sales meetings, national conferences, and vendor audits. Work hours align with commercial cadence, with occasional evening or quarter-end workloads for contracting or launches, and occasional evening meetings to coordinate with Taiwan-based headquarters. Upsher-Smith offers a collaborative, inclusive work environment where your expertise is valued and your contributions make a difference.
How to Apply
If you are a seasoned pharmaceutical attorney ready to apply your expertise in a role that combines strategic counsel with hands-on legal work, we encourage you to apply. Upsher-Smith Laboratories is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category. This is an opportunity to join a respected organization where your work directly supports the delivery of quality medications to patients. Apply today through the Upsher-Smith careers portal and take the next step in your legal career.
