General Counsel

The Cato Corporation, a leading specialty retailer of value-priced women’s fashion apparel with corporate offices located in Charlotte, North Carolina, operates three concepts: Cato, It’s Fashion and Versona. The Company has over 1,300 stores throughout the United States and a diverse workforce of over 7,500 associates. The Company’s stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “CATO”.

Cato is seeking an experienced senior level attorney to join its Legal and Human Resources team as Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary.

Responsibilities include:

Performs all duties in General Counsel and Assistant Secretary capacity and provides corporate governance guidance to the Company and the Board of Directors;

Prepares Board of Directors and Committee minutes;

Advises Board of Directors on legal matters;

Provides guidance to Company management and protects the Company’s rights, obligations and legal interests by providing legal advice and counsel in business and legal related areas;

Reviews Annual Report and all SEC filings;

Drafts and reviews agreements relating to Logistics, Procurement, Real Estate, Human Resources, Benefits, Information Technology, Insurance, Finance, Banking and Credit. Possesses established drafting and negotiating skills that minimize risks;

Manages the Company’s portfolio of intellectual property;

Provides legal advice regarding Consumer Product Safety and Labeling compliance

Represents the Company in, and coordinate representation with, outside Counsel in claims brought by or against the Company with particular emphasis on Real Estate, Intellectual Property and Employee disputes;

Manages areas of Workers’ Compensation and General Liability;

Provides advice and guidance on laws, legal trends and regulations related to internal corporate policies; and

Possesses knowledge of corporate organizational structures, creation of new entities and subsidiary representation.

Contributes to the Company’s goals by possessing business acumen and sound judgment; and

Manages the impact of external factors and limits risk exposure.

Requirements:

Minimum 10 years legal counsel experience, preferably in an in-house Senior Legal Leadership Position or General Counsel;

College graduate and law degree required. Post graduate business degree preferred;

Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school;

Admission in good standing in a State Bar;

NC State Bar preferred;

Broad based legal/finance/benefits experience inside an operating business entity, preferably a publically traded company;

Keen analytical and investigative skills as well as ability to develop creative solutions;

Ability to anticipate and address issues from a corporate perspective with particular emphasis on understanding retail business models;

Must possess excellent organizational/planning skills, be a team player and have the ability to manage multiple projects in a dynamic environment;

Proven written and oral communication skills;

Demonstrated project management skills and ability to meet internal and external deadlines;

Ability to work with, respond to and advise, executive management and senior management.

Ability to develop legal strategy and objectives; and

Must possess strong moral and ethical principles.

The Cato Corporation offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits including Medical/Dental/Life Insurance package, 401(K) Retirement Plan, Flexible Spending Plan, Stock Purchase Plan and more! Please send resume, including salary history to: The Cato Corporation, Attn: Recruitment, PO Box 34216, Charlotte, NC 28234. Fax to (704) 551-7246 or email to [email protected]. EOE/Drug Testing