Corporate Counsel – Transactions – Business Development

About the Company

Expeditors is a global logistics company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and a Fortune 500 company. We employ over 19,000 trained professionals in a worldwide network of over 350+ locations across six continents. Our mission is to recruit, train, and retain the very best logistics and technical experts. We love to promote from within—more than 50 percent of our employees have been at Expeditors for five years or more. Our high retention rate is influenced by a unique compensation program for positions that offer chances to grow, do what you love, and build a career with us.

About the Role

The Corporate Counsel – Transactions – Business Development will join Expeditors' Corporate Legal Department and provide practical, business-focused legal support for the Company's global operations. Reporting to the Senior Director, Global Legal Services, this position advises on a broad range of commercial and corporate contracting matters, with a primary focus on contracting with Expeditors’ diverse group of customers. The role offers exposure to wide-ranging legal issues affecting a publicly traded Fortune 500 company operating in more than 100 countries.

Unique aspects of this position include providing critical in-house legal support on contract negotiations that drive the growth of a global logistics powerhouse, working alongside Sales and Account Management teams to grow the business while appropriately managing risk exposure. The role requires handling banking/credit agreements and routine commercial disputes/litigation management matters. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted business partner to key stakeholders across the Company’s global business teams as well as within key corporate teams in Sales, Product, Finance, and Account Management.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, revise, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements supporting Expeditors' global business, with a focus on sell-side contracts.
• Identify legal and commercial risks and develop practical, business-oriented solutions.
• Provide practical legal support and advice for commercial matters and customer-related issues as they arise.
• Conduct legal research and develop practical guidance, templates, playbooks, and other resources that help business teams navigate legal requirements and manage risk effectively.
• Manage relationships with outside counsel and other legal service providers as appropriate.
• Contribute to Legal Department initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Provide effective cross-functional support inside and outside the Legal Department.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor, Bachelor of Laws, or equivalent degree.
• Licensed or authorized to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (Washington preferred) and in good standing.
• 7+ years of combined legal experience in a law firm, in-house legal department, government agency, judicial clerkship, and/or comparable legal environment.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Experience working directly with business clients and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, research, drafting, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Sound business judgment and the ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Prior experience negotiating and drafting complex commercial contracts is required.
• Exposure to M&A and/or other complex in-house contracting matters preferred.
• Experience supporting international business operations or addressing cross-border legal issues preferred.
• In-house experience supporting a multinational organization is beneficial but not required.
• Fluency in one or more foreign languages is an asset but not required.

Critical Competencies

• A trusted advisor who builds strong relationships with business stakeholders.
• A clear and practical communicator capable of translating complex legal concepts into business-focused advice.
• A collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• A professional who exercises sound judgment, discretion, and integrity.
• An intellectually curious learner who thrives when navigating unfamiliar legal and business issues.
• Strong emotional intelligence, adaptability, and the ability to navigate difficult conversations constructively.
• A self-starter who takes ownership of work and drives matters to completion.
• A professional who exercises sound judgment in independently developing recommendations and recognizing when escalation is appropriate.
• A collaborative problem-solver who approaches complex issues thoughtfully.
• A trusted partner who builds credibility through responsiveness, practicality, and consistently high-quality work product.

Additional Information

This position is based on-site (non-remote) at our Lynnwood, Seattle, or Bellevue, WA global headquarters offices.

Pay

This position has a base salary of $100,000, complemented by a quarterly bonus based on a percentage of the Company's operating income. For a successful candidate meeting performance expectations, the total cash compensation during the first year is targeted at $250,000, comprised of a target bonus of $150,000 and the base salary of $100,000. Long-term equity awards may also be available for this position.

Benefits

• Paid Vacation (first year prorated based on month of hire, then eligible for 15 days).
• Holidays (10); Flexible Days (2).
• Paid Sick Time (accrual rate of 1 hour of sick time per 30 hours paid).
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with employer match.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
• Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental & Vision Coverage; Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Life and Disability Insurance.
• Paid Parental Leave (additional eligibility criteria).
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DC FSA).
• Commuter Benefit.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Learning & Development Program; Educational Assistance and Reimbursement.