Lead Counsel, Transactions & Market Compliance

Ford Motor Company; Dover (DE); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; 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. This role provides practical, business-oriented legal support to Ford Corporate Development, Supply Chain, Finance, and other functions on U.S.

and cross-border matters, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures across automotive and adjacent businesses.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and active U.S. bar membership.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in U.S. and global mergers, acquisitions, and complex transactions.
• Experience with structuring and closing cross-border deals and joint ventures.
• Advising on supply chain transactions and supplier-related matters is a plus.
• Ability to counsel business clients and translate legal concepts into practical guidance.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and communication skills with sound business judgment.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal workstreams on domestic and international mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, and joint ventures.
• Draft, review, and negotiate transaction documents and related agreements.
• Advise on governance, risk, and execution strategies for complex transactions.
• Support Ford’s global supply chain and supplier-related matters through structured processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage outside counsel when needed.

Skills

M&A negotiation

Contract drafting

Strategic thinking

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Legal strategy

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Contract management systems

Job description

Ford Motor Company is seeking a transaction-focused attorney to join the Office of the General Counsel as Lead Counsel, Transactions and Market Compliance. In this role, 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.

This is a hands-on role for an attorney who can contribute meaningfully to sophisticated transactions, work effectively with senior legal and business leaders, and help deliver clear, timely, and solutions-oriented advice in support of Ford’s strategic priorities.

You will . . .

• Support and, where appropriate, lead legal workstreams on domestic and international mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, minority investments, collaborations, and joint ventures, from diligence and negotiation through signing, closing, and post-closing integration.
• Draft, review, and negotiate relevant agreements and related transaction documents.
• Provide legal support for Ford’s global supply chain, including supporting initial sourcing, supplier disputes, driving template and process improvements, and supporting financially distressed supplier matters.
• Negotiate directly with counterparties, suppliers, and joint venture partners in the United States and internationally, with sound judgment, cultural awareness, and commercial sensitivity.
• Help business teams balance legal risk with commercial objectives by identifying practical, compliant, and risk-calibrated paths to execution.
• Advise business clients and support senior attorneys in counseling management on transaction risk, deal alternatives, governance considerations, and execution strategy, including the preparation of clear recommendations and leadership briefing materials.
• Identify responsible opportunities to use artificial intelligence, automation, and legal technology to improve speed, consistency, and quality in transaction execution and legal service delivery, while preserving confidentiality, privilege, compliance, and appropriate human oversight.
• Collaborate with legal colleagues, paralegals, and other professionals to deliver efficient, coordinated, and high-quality legal support.
• Coordinate with cross-functional legal teams around the world on transaction, regulatory, compliance, and governance matters.
• Help manage outside counsel workstreams, including scope, staffing, budgets, timelines, and work product quality.
• Contribute to templates, playbooks, and precedent libraries that improve the efficiency, consistency, and quality of transaction execution.
• Support enterprise priorities in areas such as electrification, software and connectivity, energy, autonomy, and government or defense-related programs.

You’ll have . . .

• Education: Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Bar Admission: Active member in good standing of at least one U.S. State Bar (with the ability to register as in-house counsel if relocating).
• Experience: At least 5 years of relevant experience in U.S. and global mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and complex commercial transactions.
• Supply Chain Transactions: Experience advising on complex commercial arrangements involving global supply chains, including production, manufacturing, services, or technology-related transactions.
• Global Reach: Demonstrated experience negotiating and closing transactions with counterparties located outside the United States.
• Business Counseling: Experience providing practical legal advice to business clients and supporting senior attorneys on significant legal and commercial matters.
• Legal Skills: Strong drafting, negotiation, analytical, problem-solving, and business judgment skills.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable, and business-friendly advice.
• Professional Presence: Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the maturity to build trust with business clients, legal colleagues, and external stakeholders. Collaborative team player.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as business necessities require.

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry Experience: Experience supporting transactions or legal matters in the automotive, mobility, technology, manufacturing, energy, or advanced manufacturing sectors.
• Practice Background: A combination of rigorous major law firm training and in-house corporate legal experience.