Associate General Counsel - US

Location: Detroit, MI

Job Posting Title

Legal Entity

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc

Job Description Summary

Dauch is looking for an Associate General Counsel to join our team in Detroit, MI.

This individual will serve as a strategic, business-oriented legal partner to Dauch’s Americas operations, supporting teams across the United States. Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel for the Americas, this role will lead and manage a broad range of commercial contracting matters, provide practical and actionable legal advice to cross-functional stakeholders, actively support HR and employment matters, manage litigation and dispute resolution, and advise on day-to-day business activities. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound legal judgment, strong leadership, and a solutions-driven, collaborative approach suited to a fast-paced manufacturing and supply chain environment.

Drafts, reviews, and negotiates a wide range of commercial agreements, including supply, procurement, tooling, services, logistics, customs and trade, confidentiality, quality, warranty, and technology agreements, ensuring alignment with company policies, applicable laws, and risk tolerance.

Provides timely, pragmatic, and solution-oriented legal counseling to business stakeholders in sales, procurement, HR, engineering, operations, quality, finance, IT, and EHS, ensuring legal risks are clearly communicated, and business objectives are supported.

Identifies, assesses, and mitigates legal and commercial risks, escalating issues as appropriate and proposing alternative structures or solutions that achieve business objectives while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Supports HR and labor and employment matters, including hiring and separations, policies, investigations, accommodations, wage-and-hour issues, EEOC claims, training, and employee relations, coordinating with external counsel as appropriate and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

Supports and provides guidance on a broad range of property and real estate matters, including commercial leases, acquisitions, dispositions, and property-related disputes.

Manages and coordinates outside counsel effectively and cost-efficiently, including matter scoping, budgeting, performance monitoring, and ensuring alignment with company objectives and cost controls.

Develops and delivers legal training and playbooks for commercial and employment best practices.

Manages litigation and assist with dispute management and pre-litigation strategy, including claim evaluation, correspondence, and negotiated resolutions.

All other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Education

Juris Doctor Degree.

Licensed and able to practice law in the State of Michigan and in good standing.

7+ years of relevant legal experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department, with a strong focus on commercial transactions and employment and labor; manufacturing or automotive experience strongly preferred.

Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements with OEMs, Tier 1/Tier 2 suppliers, and service providers.

Experience advising business clients on day-to-day operational issues with clear, pragmatic guidance, strong stakeholder management, and the ability to translate legal concepts into actionable business advice.

Demonstrated experience with HR/labor and employment counseling for multi-state U.S. operations.

Understanding of property/real estate laws and experience supporting property contracts and transactions, including commercial leases and purchase and sale agreements.

Strong contract interpretation, issue-spotting, and risk assessment skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage a diverse and high-volume workload in a dynamic environment.

Knowledge of export controls, sanctions, and trade compliance frameworks applicable to the automotive sector.

Familiarity with warranty and recall concerns or campaigns, and supply assurance strategies common in automotive supply chains, including risk mitigation and contingency planning.