Corporate Legal Counsel @ GLS US

Counselwell Inc.; Santa Fe Springs (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 375,000; Full time

Job summary

GLS US in Santa Fe Springs, CA is seeking a Legal Counsel to serve as the organization’s chief legal officer, providing strategic legal advice to the CEO, executive leadership, and the Board, and managing legal risk across the enterprise.

This role oversees compliance, governance, contract management, employment law, litigation and external counsel, and partners with Operations and Supply Chain to align legal strategy with business goals.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 8–12 years of progressive legal experience, with senior leadership exposure.
• In-house corporate or regulatory law experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise the CEO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors on legal matters.
• Oversee compliance, governance, and regulatory programs across the enterprise.
• Review, draft, and negotiate complex contracts and cross-border agreements.
• Manage litigation strategy and oversee external counsel and budgeting.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Contract negotiation

Strategic counsel

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

GLS US

Santa Fe Springs, CA (On-Site)

Apply here

GLS Group is one of the largest parcel services providers in Europe, with a strong local presence in almost all countries across the continent. It also operates through wholly owned subsidiaries in Canada and on the USA’s West Coast within one GLS network. This allows GLS to seamlessly connect its customers and communities with millions of parcels and stories every day. GLS’ network connects its markets with high velocity and flexibility to respond to their fast-changing and dynamic nature. The company provides high quality service tailored to its customers’ needs across more than 50 countries. The GLS network consists of over 120 hubs and more than 1,600 depots, supported by more than 36,700 vans, light vehicles and walkers, and 6,400 trucks. This offers network resilience, superior flexibility, and extended reach. In 2024/25, GLS generated record revenues of 5.9 billion euros and delivered 926 million parcels across the markets. For more information, visit www.gls-group.com .

Requirements

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

The Legal Counsel serves as the organization’s chief legal officer, responsible for providing strategic legal advice to executive leadership and the Board, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and managing legal risk across the enterprise.

This role will provide specialized legal oversight within the logistics and transportation industry, including final mile delivery operations, international logistics, cross-border trade, and export compliance. The LC supports business strategy and serves as a trusted advisor on governance, ethics, regulatory, and operational matters across domestic and global supply chain activities.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Strategic & Executive Leadership

Serve as a strategic legal advisor to the CEO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors

Support organizational strategy by identifying and mitigating legal and regulatory risk

Provide legal perspective on business initiatives, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and investments

Advise on legal implications of transportation network expansion, final mile delivery models, and international market entry

Compliance & Governance

Ensure organizational compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations

Oversee corporate governance practices, including Board resolutions, bylaws, and policies

Promote ethical business practices and support codes of conduct and compliance programs

Ensure compliance with transportation and logistics regulations (e.g., DOT, FMCSA, last-mile delivery requirements)

Oversee compliance with international trade laws, import/export regulations, sanctions programs, and customs requirements

Contract Management

Review, draft, and negotiate complex commercial contracts and agreements

Establish contract standards and approval processes

Advise internal stakeholders on contractual obligations and risk

Lead negotiation of carrier agreements, 3PL/vendor contracts, final mile delivery partnerships, and cross-border logistics agreements

Employment & Labor Law

Advise HR leadership on employment law matters, including employee relations, investigations, discipline, terminations, and compliance

Support policy development and ensure alignment with employment regulations

Provide guidance on independent contractor models, driver classification, and labor considerations within logistics and final mile operations

Litigation & External Counsel Management

Manage litigation strategy and oversee outside counsel

Control legal spending and ensure cost-effective legal service delivery

Evaluate and select external legal vendors and advisors

Oversee disputes related to transportation, cargo claims, service failures, cross-border issues, and vendor performance

Leadership & Team Development

Lead and develop the legal team, including attorneys, paralegals, and compliance professionals

Establish department goals, KPIs, and budgets

Foster collaboration with HR, Finance, Risk, Compliance, and Operations

Partner closely with Operations and Supply Chain leadership to align legal strategy with business execution

May be required to perform tasks beyond those explicitly listed in this role

Functional Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction

Minimum 8–12 years of progressive legal experience, including senior-level leadership

Experience in corporate, commercial, or regulatory law; in‑house experience strongly preferred

Prior experience as General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel

Experience within the logistics, transportation, supply chain, or related industry strongly preferred

Demonstrated knowledge of final mile delivery operations, carrier networks, and transportation regulations (DOT, FMCSA, etc.)

Experience with international logistics, cross-border transactions, and export/import compliance (e.g., EAR, OFAC, customs regulations)

Experience advising Boards and executive leadership teams

Demonstrated experience managing litigation and outside counsel

EEO Statement

General Logistics Systems US is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. We welcome all qualified applicants to apply to GLS, and we strive to select the best qualified applicant for each position in our organization. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or other legally protected status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. GLS complies with all laws and regulations relating to employment discrimination and is always committed to doing what's right.