Lead Counsel, Transactions – Market Compliance

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Michigan.

📋 Description

• Assist and, when suitable, spearhead legal workstreams for both domestic and international mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, minority investments, collaborations, and joint ventures, from due diligence and negotiation through to signing, closing, and post-closing integration.

• Draft, assess, and negotiate transaction agreements along with associated documentation.

• Provide legal assistance for Ford’s global supply chain, which encompasses initial sourcing, supplier disputes, template and process enhancements, and issues involving financially distressed suppliers.

• Engage in direct negotiations with counterparties, suppliers, and joint venture partners both in the United States and abroad.

• Aid business teams in reconciling legal risks with commercial goals by pinpointing practical, compliant, and risk-adjusted strategies for execution.

• Counsel business clients and assist senior attorneys in advising management on transaction risks, deal alternatives, governance factors, and execution strategies.

• Create clear recommendations and briefing materials for leadership.

• Identify responsible opportunities for the implementation of artificial intelligence, automation, and legal technology while maintaining confidentiality, privilege, compliance, and human oversight.

• Collaborate with legal colleagues, paralegals, and other professionals to provide cohesive legal support.

• Coordinate with cross-functional legal teams globally on transaction, regulatory, compliance, and governance issues.

• Assist in managing external counsel workstreams, which includes scope, staffing, budgets, timelines, and the quality of work products.

• Contribute to the development of templates, playbooks, and precedent libraries that enhance transaction execution.

⛳️ Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

• Active member in good standing of at least one U.S. State Bar, with the capability to register as in-house counsel if relocating.

• Minimum of 5 years of pertinent experience in U.S. and global mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and intricate commercial transactions.

• Experience in advising on complex commercial arrangements involving global supply chains, including production, manufacturing, services, or technology-related transactions.

• Proven experience in negotiating and closing transactions with counterparties based outside the United States.

• Experience in delivering practical legal advice to business clients and supporting senior attorneys on significant legal and commercial matters.

• Strong skills in drafting, negotiation, analytical thinking, problem-solving, and business judgment.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities, including the capacity to translate complex legal ideas into clear, actionable, and business-friendly advice.

• Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the maturity to build trust with business clients, legal colleagues, and external stakeholders.

• A collaborative team player.

• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs arise.

• Preferred: Experience in supporting transactions or legal matters within the automotive, mobility, technology, manufacturing, energy, or advanced manufacturing sectors.

• Preferred: A combination of rigorous training at a major law firm and in-house corporate legal experience.

🏝️ Benefits

• Remote work arrangement / home-based work in Michigan.

• Full-time salaried position.

• Opportunity to contribute to enterprise priorities in electrification, software and connectivity, energy, autonomy, and programs related to government or defense.

• Opportunities to leverage artificial intelligence, automation, and legal technology in the delivery of legal services.