Associate Lawyer

Circle Logistics, Inc; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Circle Logistics, Inc. seeks an Associate Lawyer to support the Legal & Compliance function as a hands-on contract and litigation resource for the business.

This role owns the day-to-day flow of commercial agreements, from first review through redline and execution, and provides direct support on employment matters, restrictive covenant enforcement, and freight claims. The attorney will work closely with sales, operations, HR, and outside counsel to move deals forward quickly while protecting

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and Indiana bar admission.
• 0–3 years of practice; commercial contracts or transportation preferred.
• Familiarity with Carmack Amendment and FMCSA framework.
• Strong drafting and negotiation experience in a business setting.

Responsibilities

• Review, redline, and negotiate carrier and broker agreements, NDAs, and vendor contracts.
• Support defense of employment claims and manage internal investigations with HR.
• Review cargo claims, freight disputes, and insurance considerations; draft demand and settlement letters.
• Collaborate with sales, operations, and outside counsel to move deals forward while managing risk.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Legal research

Cross-functional collaboration

Business-oriented risk analysis

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Indiana bar admission

Tools

Microsoft Word (tracked changes)

Document management systems

Contract lifecycle tools

Job description

The Associate Lawyer supports the Legal & Compliance function as a hands-on contract and litigation resource for the business. This role owns the day-to-day flow of commercial agreements, from first review through redline and execution, and provides direct support on employment matters, restrictive covenant enforcement, and freight claims. The attorney will work closely with sales, operations, HR, and outside counsel to move deals forward quickly while protecting the company's risk position.

Primary Responsibilities

Contract Review and Redlining

Review, redline, and negotiate carrier agreements, broker-shipper agreements, master service agreements, NDAs, vendor contracts, and real property leases. Apply standardized fallback positions on indemnity, insurance, cargo liability limits, payment terms, limitation of liability, and termination. Escalate off-market terms with a clear recommendation rather than a referral.

Labor and Employment Support

Assist with the defense of employment claims, charges, and lawsuits, including EEOC and state agency responses, document collection, witness preparation support, discovery response drafting, and coordination with outside employment counsel. Advise HR on separations, accommodation requests, wage and hour questions, and internal investigations.

Initiate and manage enforcement of non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality obligations. Draft cease and desist letters, assemble evidentiary records of customer and carrier solicitation, evaluate enforceability by jurisdiction, and coordinate with outside counsel on injunctive relief where warranted.

Claims and Demand Management

Review and respond to cargo claims, freight charge disputes, and third-party demands. Analyze Carmack Amendment exposure, contractual liability caps, and insurance coverage. Draft demand letters, denial letters, and settlement agreements. Support recovery efforts against carriers and their insurers.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Serve as an accessible legal partner to terminal leaders, sales representatives, and operations staff. Deliver clear, practical answers on realistic timelines and train business teams on the contract and claims issues that surface most often.

Experience and Education Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• Active bar admission in Indiana, or admission in another U.S. jurisdiction with eligibility for Indiana admission
• 0 to 3 years of practice experience. Commercial contracts, transportation, insurance defense, or labor and employment backgrounds preferred
• Familiarity with transportation law concepts, including the Carmack Amendment, broker versus carrier liability, and FMCSA regulatory framework, or demonstrated ability to learn them quickly
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements in a business environment

Core Competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate legal risk into business terms
• Sound commercial judgment with a bias toward closing deals rather than cataloging risk
• Proven ability to manage a high volume of concurrent matters in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Meticulous attention to detail in drafting, with strong organizational and analytical capabilities
• Proficiency with contract lifecycle tools, document management systems, and Microsoft Word tracked changes and comparison functions
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive consensus without direct authority
• Demonstrated initiative, accountability, and commitment to continuous improvement and professional excellence