General Counsel

Korn Ferry; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 350,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Korn Ferry is conducting a confidential search for a General Counsel to lead the legal function for a private equity-backed distribution platform. This is the first in-house GC and involves across-the-board responsibility to build scalable legal infrastructure and align with executive leadership.

The role reports to the CEO and sits on the executive leadership team, deeply partnering with business leaders to manage contracts, M&A, governance, compliance, and risk while supporting growth and

Qualifications

• Broad legal leadership across commercial, corporate, employment, litigation, compliance, and governance.
• Experience building legal processes, frameworks, and infrastructure.
• Strong business judgment and practical risk management.
• Experience supporting growth, acquisitions, integration, or transformation initiatives.
• Collaborative, low-ego leadership style; hands-on legal executive.

Responsibilities

• Serve as strategic advisor and hands-on operator on legal matters.
• Oversee commercial contracting, M&A, litigation, employment, governance, compliance, risk management, and legal operations.
• Help integrate acquired businesses, standardize processes, and build scalable legal infrastructure.
• Partner with executives and operators to solve problems and drive value.

Skills

Broad legal leadership

Commercial & governance

Risk management

Executive partnership

Job description

Korn Ferry is conducting a confidential search for a General Counsel for a private equity-backed distribution platform with approximately $2 billion in revenue following a recent transformational acquisition. This is the organization's first in-house General Counsel and a unique opportunity to help build the legal function and support the company's next phase of growth and integration.

Reporting directly to the CEO and serving on the executive leadership team, the General Counsel will act as both a strategic advisor and hands‑on operator. The role spans commercial contracting, M&A, litigation, employment matters, governance, compliance, risk management, and legal operations while helping integrate acquired businesses, standardize processes, and build scalable legal infrastructure.

We're seeking a pragmatic, commercially minded legal leader who enjoys building, simplifying complexity, and working closely with business leaders to solve problems. This is an opportunity for someone who wants to create rather than inherit.

Ideal candidates will bring:

• Broad legal leadership experience across commercial, corporate, employment, litigation, compliance, and governance matters
• Experience building legal processes, frameworks, and infrastructure
• Strong business judgment and a practical approach to risk management
• Experience supporting growth, acquisitions, integration, or transformation initiatives
• A collaborative, low-ego, roll‑up‑your‑sleeves leadership style
• Comfort operating as a highly hands‑on legal executive

Importantly, this is not a role for someone seeking to manage a large legal team. The successful candidate will enjoy being deeply embedded in the business, partnering directly with executives and operators, and personally driving important legal matters to resolution.

Location: Seattle, WA (5 days/week in office)

Compensation: $350,000-$450,000 base + bonus + long-term incentives