General Counsel

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentives

In-office Seattle role

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 organization's first in-house GC, reporting to the CEO and serving on the executive team.

The role covers commercial contracting, M&A, litigation, employment, governance, compliance, risk management and legal operations, while helping integrate acquisitions, standardize processes, and build scalable infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Broad legal leadership across commercial, corporate, employment, litigation, compliance, and governance matters.
• Experience building legal processes, frameworks, and infrastructure.
• Strong business judgment with practical risk management.
• Experience supporting growth, acquisitions, integration, or transformation initiatives.
• Collaborative, low-ego, roll-up-your-sleeves leadership style.
• Hands-on legal executive embedded with the business.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial contracting, M&A, litigation, employment matters, governance, and compliance.
• Drive risk management and legal operations while integrating acquired businesses.
• Build scalable legal infrastructure and standardize processes across the organization.

Skills

Commercial contracting

M&A

Litigation

Employment matters

Governance

Compliance

Risk management

Strategic advisory

Cross-functional collaboration

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