General Counsel

General CounselWinston 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 ResponsibilitiesEntity Formation, LP Governance & Structural ArchitectureFormation of LPs and LLCs across multiple states, including jurisdictional selection and registered agent coordinationGP / LP structuring and governance, including drafting and negotiating partnership agreement provisionsDrafting and managing amendments to partnership agreements as the business evolvesAdvising on capital structure and ownership changes, including admission of partners and interest transfersManaging dissolutions, mergers, and conversions of entities as neededOverseeing state registrations and foreign qualifications across operating jurisdictionsBanking, Credit Facility & Cross-Collateral Legal StrategyInterpreting credit agreement compliance obligations and advising leadership on covenant managementManaging cross-entity collateral risk, including analysis of collateral structures spanning multiple LPs and LLCsMonitoring financial covenants and advising on triggers, cure provisions, and lender communicationEnsuring legal compliance throughout draw processes and borrowing base proceduresAdvising on guaranty structures, including personal guaranties and cross-entity guaranty arrangementsLeading or supporting lender negotiations, including amendments, waivers, and facility modificationsCommercial & Operational Legal SupportDraft, review, and negotiate supplier, customer, vendor, and service agreements across operating entitiesSupport real estate matters including leases, property acquisitions, and expansion of branch locationsProvide legal guidance on commercial relationships, strategic business initiatives, and operational riskCorporate Governance & Risk ManagementOversee corporate governance across the full family of affiliated entitiesMaintain corporate records and ensure regulatory compliance across jurisdictionsIdentify legal risks and provide practical strategies to mitigate exposureManage disputes and coordinate with outside counsel when specialized expertise or litigation support is requiredEmployment Law & ComplianceAdvising leadership and HR on employment matters including hiring practices, employee relations, terminations, wage and hour compliance, and workplace policiesReviewing and maintaining employment policies, handbooks, and compliance documentationAdvising on sensitive workplace investigations when necessaryMonitoring employment law developments across operating jurisdictionsOutside Counsel & Multi-State Legal OversightEngage and manage outside counsel in all jurisdictions where the company operatesEnsure legal matters across multiple states are handled efficiently and aligned with business prioritiesBuild a cost-effective network of specialists for tax, litigation, real estate, and regulatory mattersStrategic Advisor to Ownership & Executive LeadershipServe as a trusted advisor to ownership and executive leadership on all legal and risk mattersTranslate complex legal issues into clear, practical guidance for operational leadersProvide pragmatic advice that balances risk management with operational efficiencyProactively identify emerging legal issues before they become business problemsQualificationsJ.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 preferredDemonstrated experience with entity formation, LP/LLC governance, and multi-entity structural mattersExperience with commercial credit agreements, banking relationships, and cross-collateral legal strategyStrong background in commercial contracts, corporate governance, and operational legal mattersFamiliarity with multi-entity employment structures and the intersection of entity design and employment complianceExperience advising privately held, founder-led, or family-owned businessesAbility to provide clear, pragmatic legal advice in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environmentExperience managing outside counsel and multi-jurisdiction legal mattersPreferred: Industry background in distribution, industrial, construction, manufacturing, or real estate. Admission to additional state bars is a plus.What We OfferCompetitive compensation and performance-based bonusDirect collaboration with ownership and executive leadershipOpportunity to build and shape the internal legal function from the ground upMeaningful exposure to entity structuring, credit strategy, and multi-state business operationsA high-trust, entrepreneurial culture focused on growth and long-term relationships