Lead Counsel, Global Transactions & Market Compliance

Lincoln Motor Company; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Ford Motor Company seeks a transaction-focused attorney to join the Office of the General Counsel as Lead Counsel, Transactions and Market Compliance. You will provide practical, business-oriented legal support to Ford Corporate Development, Supply Chain, Finance, and other functions on U.S.

and cross-border matters, including strategic alliances, complex commercial arrangements, as well as mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures across our automotive and adjacent businesses.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Active U.S. State Bar in good standing (able to register as in-house counsel if relocating).
• 5+ years of experience in U.S. and global M&A, JVs, and complex commercial transactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support legal workstreams on domestic and international M&A, divestitures, carve-outs, minority investments, collaborations, and JVs from diligence through signing, closing, and post-closing integration.
• Draft, review, and negotiate transaction documents and related agreements.
• Support Ford's global supply chain, including sourcing, supplier disputes, and process improvements.
• Negotiate with counterparties and JV partners in the U.S. and internationally with sound judgment and commercial sensitivity.
• Balance legal risk with business objectives and provide actionable recommendations to management.
• Advise business clients and senior attorneys on risk, deal options, governance, and execution strategy with clear leadership briefs.
• Identify opportunities to use AI, automation, and legal tech to improve speed, consistency, and quality while preserving confidentiality and compliance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and outside counsel to deliver efficient, high-quality transaction support.
• Coordinate with global legal teams on transaction, regulatory, and governance matters.
• Help manage outside counsel scope, staffing, budgets, and timelines.
• Contribute to templates, playbooks, and precedents to improve efficiency.
• Support enterprise priorities in electrification, software/connectivity, energy, autonomy, and related programs.

Skills

Mergers & Acquisitions

Joint Ventures

Contract Negotiation

Cross-border Transactions

Supply Chain Transactions

Legal Research

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Ford Motor Company seeks a transaction-focused attorney to join the Office of the General Counsel as Lead Counsel, Transactions and Market Compliance. You will provide practical, business-oriented legal support to Ford Corporate Development, Supply Chain, Finance, and other functions on U.S.

and cross-border matters, including strategic alliances, complex commercial arrangements, as well as mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures across our automotive and adjacent businesses.