Assistant Corporate Counsel – Transactions – Government Contracts, Privacy, and Strategic Projects

About Expeditors

Expeditors is a leading global logistics company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. As a Fortune 500 firm, we manage an international network spanning over 350+ locations across six continents and employ more than 19,000 professionals worldwide. Our core mission centers on delivering specialized supply chain management solutions combined with integrated information systems, all within a culture valuing professionalism, leadership, and customer-oriented innovation.

Job Summary

The Assistant Corporate Counsel for Transactions, focusing on Government Contracts, Privacy, and Strategic Projects, will become a vital member of Expeditors' Corporate Legal Department. Reporting directly to the Director of Global Legal Services and the Global Data Protection Officer, the role provides practical and business-relevant legal counsel on diverse matters including commercial contracts, privacy laws, government contracting compliance, and corporate governance. Supporting global operations in over 100 countries, this position works intimately with business leaders, legal colleagues, and operational teams to facilitate business goals while managing legal risks effectively.

Responsibilities

• Draft, analyze, and negotiate various commercial agreements essential to supporting global operations.
• Assess customer requirements, proposals, and requests for proposals (RFPs) to assist business growth initiatives.
• Collaborate across departments—sales, finance, compliance, cybersecurity, and others—to provide pragmatic legal advice.
• Spot legal and commercial risks and devise solutions centered on business practicality.
• Offer specialized legal guidance on privacy issues including data protection clauses and cross-border data transfers.
• Review and provide counsel on government, defense, and regulated industry contracts.
• Support corporate governance initiatives and other related legal functions.
• Conduct thorough legal research, creating resources like templates and playbooks to aid teams in managing risks.
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel and service providers when required.
• Engage in department-wide projects and efforts to improve legal services continuously.

Qualifications

• Possession of a Juris Doctor or equivalent law degree.
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Between 4 and 7 years of combined relevant legal experience in various settings such as law firms, corporate legal teams, government roles, or judicial clerkships.
• Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Proven ability to interface directly with business clients and stakeholders.
• Strong skills in legal analysis, research, drafting, and negotiation.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Exceptional organizational aptitude with keen attention to detail.
• Sound business judgment balancing legal risks against commercial goals.
• Capable of working independently and collaboratively in dynamic environments.
• Quick aptitude for learning new legal, regulatory, and business topics and translating these into actionable advice.
• Ability to handle competing priorities and adjust to evolving business demands.
• Preferred experience includes privacy law, data protection, government contracting, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance.
• Advantageous experience includes working in multinational organizations and handling cross-border legal issues.
• Additional language proficiency is beneficial but not mandatory.

Critical Competencies

• Establishes trust and strong relationships with business partners.
• Communicates complex legal matters in practical, understandable terms.
• Works well within teams and builds positive interpersonal connections.
• Exhibits discretion, integrity, and sound judgment professionally.
• Displays intellectual curiosity and embraces challenges as opportunities for growth.
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence and adaptability, managing challenging conversations constructively.
• Self-motivated and proactive in ownership and completion of assignments.
• Judiciously balances independence with collaboration and knows when to escalate issues appropriately.
• Engages problem-solving by seeking input and aligning with leadership on complex issues.
• Provides dependable, high-quality deliverables to foster credibility.
• Exercises flexibility and discernment in advocating positions or escalating concerns.

Additional Information

This role requires on-site presence at Expeditors' global headquarters located in Seattle, Washington.

Compensation and Benefits

The position offers a competitive compensation package comprising a base salary of $100,000 and a quarterly bonus linked to the company's operating income, with total first-year cash compensation typically ranging from $140,000 to $160,000. Bonus potential grows alongside company financial performance, allowing employees to benefit from organizational success.

Employee benefits include:

• Pro-rated paid vacation in the first year, up to 15 days thereafter
• 10 paid holidays and 2 flexible days annually
• Paid sick leave accrued at 1 hour per 30 hours worked
• 401(k) plan with employer contributions
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Health coverage including medical, prescription, dental, vision, and HSA options
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid parental leave (subject to eligibility)
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Commuter benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Learning and development opportunities including educational reimbursement