Senior Paralegal

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and highly driven Senior Paralegal to join our Legal & Compliance team. This role sits at the center of a public company legal function and plays a critical role in supporting corporate governance, SEC reporting, contract management, transactions, litigation, and compliance initiatives.

This is a high-visibility position offering regular interaction with senior leadership and exposure to Board-level matters. The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise, sound judgment, and a proactive, ownership-oriented approach.

Responsibilities: 

Corporate Governance & SEC Reporting (Primary Ownership)

• Lead support for Board of Directors and committee processes, including preparation of agendas, materials, resolutions, and minutes

• Coordinate annual and special shareholder meetings, including documentation, logistics, and inspector of elections engagement

• Manage Board materials and communications through Diligent Boards (or similar platforms)

• Maintain corporate governance calendars and drive alignment with SEC and Nasdaq reporting timelines

• Assist in the preparation and filing of SEC reports, including Forms 8-K, 10-Q, 10-K, and proxy statements

• Manage Section 16 compliance, including preparation and filing of Forms 3, 4, and 5, maintaining insider reporting credentials, and onboarding new officers and directors

Contracts & Legal Operations

• Oversee administration of the contract lifecycle management system and integrity of the contract repository

• Support contract intake, tracking, and coordination across business stakeholders

• Ensure organized, accurate, and accessible legal records and documentation

• Review and audit outside counsel invoices and contribute to legal spend management and process improvement

Transactions & Corporate Matters

• Support due diligence and preparation of closing materials for corporate transactions

• Assist with corporate entity maintenance and governance documentation

Litigation & Investigations

• Maintain litigation files and coordinate document management and discovery processes

• Assist with internal investigations and related documentation and tracking

Compliance & Regulatory Support

• Support compliance initiatives, including state licensure requirements and internal policy development

• Conduct research on SEC regulations, Nasdaq rules, and applicable state laws (including Delaware and New Jersey)

• Assist in the development, maintenance, and implementation of legal and compliance policies and procedures

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

• Paralegal certification required

• 5–7 years of paralegal experience (or equivalent), including substantial experience supporting a publicly traded company

• Prior in-house corporate experience required; life sciences or pharmaceutical industry experience strongly preferred

• Strong working knowledge of corporate governance, SEC reporting, and public company requirements

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex workflows, prioritize competing deadlines, and deliver high-quality work product

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with senior leadership

• High level of discretion and professionalism in handling confidential and sensitive matters

• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and take ownership of key processes

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint)

• Experience with legal and governance platforms such as Workiva, Diligent Boards, Computershare, or similar systems

• Experience working with contract lifecycle management (CLM), document management, or legal operations tools

Proficiency in leveraging AI-enabled tools and technology to enhance legal workflows, including:

• Assisting with document review, contract analysis, and summarization

• Supporting legal research and information synthesis

• Improving efficiency in drafting, data organization, and process execution

• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and responsibly use emerging technologies while maintaining data security and confidentiality

Why Join Us

• Direct exposure to executive leadership and Board-level matters

• Opportunity to play a meaningful role in a high-performing legal and compliance function

• Broad scope across governance, transactions, litigation, and regulatory matters

• Collaborative team environment with opportunities for growth and development

• Competitive compensation and hybrid work flexibility

Success in This Role

• Operates with strong ownership and accountability across core workstreams

• Consistently delivers high-quality, accurate work under tight deadlines

• Serves as a trusted partner to Legal, Compliance, Finance, and senior leadership

• Identifies opportunities to improve processes and enhance efficiency

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by colleagues assigned to this position. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Aquestive reserves the right to make changes to the job description whenever necessary.  

As part of Aquestive’s employment process, final candidate will be required to complete a drug test and background check prior to employment commencing.  Please Note:  Aquestive is a drug-free workplace and has a drug free workplace policy in place. 

Aquestive provides equal employment opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.  Expected Base salary range: $105,600.00 to $125,000.00 USD