General Counsel Winston Water Cooler Family of Companies Location: Dallas, TX (On-Site)  Type: Full-Time About Us Winston Water Cooler Family of Companies is a long-standing, privately held enterprise in the plumbing supply and distribution industry. Over time, we have grown into a network of more than 70 locations across Texas and several additional states, operating through a structured family of limited partnerships, LLCs, and affiliated entities. We operate with an entrepreneurial mindset, moving quickly, solving problems directly, and prioritizing long-term relationships with employees, customers, and partners. As we continue to scale, we are seeking our first in-house General Counsel to build and lead the legal function across the Winston family of companies. This individual will serve as a trusted advisor to ownership and executive leadership, providing practical, business-minded guidance across entity structure, credit and banking relationships, commercial operations, and governance. This role is ideal for a business lawyer comfortable operating at the intersection of law and ownership in a fast-moving, privately held environment. Key Responsibilities Entity Formation, LP Governance & Structural Architecture Serve as the company’s primary legal resource on entity structure, formation, and ongoing governance across the Winston family of companies. Responsibilities include: • Formation of LPs and LLCs across multiple states, including jurisdictional selection and registered agent coordination • GP / LP structuring and governance, including drafting and negotiating partnership agreement provisions • Drafting and managing amendments to partnership agreements as the business evolves • Advising on capital structure and ownership changes, including admission of partners and interest transfers • Managing dissolutions, mergers, and conversions of entities as needed • Overseeing state registrations and foreign qualifications across operating jurisdictions Banking, Credit Facility & Cross-Collateral Legal Strategy Act as the primary in-house legal resource on credit, lending, and banking relationships across the company’s entity structure. Responsibilities include: • Interpreting credit agreement compliance obligations and advising leadership on covenant management • Managing cross-entity collateral risk, including analysis of collateral structures spanning multiple LPs and LLCs • Monitoring financial covenants and advising on triggers, cure provisions, and lender communication • Ensuring legal compliance throughout draw processes and borrowing base procedures • Advising on guaranty structures, including personal guaranties and cross-entity guaranty arrangements • Leading or supporting lender negotiations, including amendments, waivers, and facility modifications Commercial & Operational Legal Support • Draft, review, and negotiate supplier, customer, vendor, and service agreements across operating entities • Support real estate matters including leases, property acquisitions, and expansion of branch locations • Provide legal guidance on commercial relationships, strategic business initiatives, and operational risk Corporate Governance & Risk Management • Oversee corporate governance across the full family of affiliated entities • Maintain corporate records and ensure regulatory compliance across jurisdictions • Identify legal risks and provide practical strategies to mitigate exposure • Manage disputes and coordinate with outside counsel when specialized expertise or litigation support is required Employment Law & Compliance Provide foundational employment law guidance to support the company’s multi-state workforce. Responsibilities include: • Advising leadership and HR on employment matters including hiring practices, employee relations, terminations, wage and hour compliance, and workplace policies • Reviewing and maintaining employment policies, handbooks, and compliance documentation • Advising on sensitive workplace investigations when necessary • Monitoring employment law developments across operating jurisdictions Outside Counsel & Multi-State Legal Oversight • Engage and manage outside counsel in all jurisdictions where the company operates • Ensure legal matters across multiple states are handled efficiently and aligned with business priorities • Build a cost-effective network of specialists for tax, litigation, real estate, and regulatory matters Strategic Advisor to Ownership & Executive Leadership • Serve as a trusted advisor to ownership and executive leadership on all legal and risk matters • Translate complex legal issues into clear, practical guidance for operational leaders • Provide pragmatic advice that balances risk management with operational efficiency • Proactively identify emerging legal issues before they become business problems Qualifications • J.D. from an accredited law school; licensed to practice law in Texas (or eligible for admission) • 8–15+ years of legal experience, with a combination of law firm and in-house experience preferred • Demonstrated experience with entity formation, LP/LLC governance, and multi-entity structural matters • Experience with commercial credit agreements, banking relationships, and cross-collateral legal strategy • Strong background in commercial contracts, corporate governance, and operational legal matters • Familiarity with multi-entity employment structures and the intersection of entity design and employment compliance • Experience advising privately held, founder-led, or family-owned businesses • Ability to provide clear, pragmatic legal advice in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment • Experience managing outside counsel and multi-jurisdiction legal matters Preferred: Industry background in distribution, industrial, construction, manufacturing, or real estate. Admission to additional state bars is a plus. What We Offer • Competitive compensation and performance-based bonus • Direct collaboration with ownership and executive leadership • Opportunity to build and shape the internal legal function from the ground up • Meaningful exposure to entity structuring, credit strategy, and multi-state business operations • A high-trust, entrepreneurial culture focused on growth and long-term relationships