Managing Counsel – Transactions

Toyota North America; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vehicle purchase discount

Lease vehicle program

Health care plans

401(k) match

Paid holidays and time off

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Toyota North America, based in Plano, TX, seeks an experienced Managing Counsel for its MAS group to lead complex transactions and provide expert guidance on a wide range of legal matters across the mobility and technology space.

The role involves partnering with leaders across Toyota and its affiliates, managing outside counsel, and ensuring regulatory compliance while supporting strategic initiatives in a dynamic global environment.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and active bar membership in at least one U.S. state.
• Minimum 10 years of solid legal practice, preferably in a major law firm and/or a multinational corporation.
• Experience working as part of a cross-functional or culturally diverse team across time zones and cultures.
• Team player with ability to work autonomously and manage multiple projects and stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel 15–20% domestically and internationally for genchi genbutsu.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex strategic transactions, including cross-border commercial agreements and joint ventures.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and manage high volumes of complex agreements (manufacturing, supply, software/hardware, etc.).
• Advise on legal issues, risks, and business strategies in collaboration with business leads and executives.
• Guide trade compliance matters, including export controls, sanctions, and USMCA provisions.
• Stay current on mobility, electrification, AI, and other advanced tech legal issues and provide practical solutions.
• Improve standard legal processes and manage outside counsel and budgets.

Skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Travel readiness

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Overview

Who we are

Collaborative. Respectful. A place to dream and do. These are just a few words that describe what life is like at Toyota. As one of the world’s most admired brands, Toyota is growing and leading the future of mobility through innovative, high-quality solutions designed to enhance lives and delight those we serve. We’re looking for talented team members who want to Dream. Do. Grow. with us.

Toyota Legal One (“TL1”) is the team of highly experienced in-house attorneys and legal professionals who provide full service legal support to Toyota Motor North America and its affiliates. TL1 seeks diverse top-caliber team members who are committed to challenging the status quo and sustaining our success through continuous improvement and respect for people.

Toyota does not offer support or sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas or any other work authorization for this role now or in the future. You must have the right to work in the United States and not require Toyota support or sponsorship for immigration-related employment (e.g., H-1B, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, TN, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, ‘job flexibility benefits’ [also known as I-140 or Adjustment of Status portability], etc.) now or in the future. You should not apply for this role if you will require Toyota to assist with immigration support or sponsorship now or in the future.

Who we’re looking for

The Mobility Advisory Solutions group (“MAS”) within TL1 is a transaction group that has been on the forefront of Toyota’s transformation into a mobility company. MAS is closely involved in the development and the launch of new products and services at Toyota. We also partner in initiatives that influence Toyota’s new businesses that raise challenging questions and require creative and practical legal advice.

TL1 is seeking an experienced transactional attorney to join MAS as a Managing Counsel. The successful candidate will be part of an exciting and diverse team that works side-by-side with our clients to provide expert counsel and guidance on a wide variety of legal issues, including research and development, strategic commercial transactions related to manufacturing operations; sales, supply and distribution arrangements, partnerships and ventures; and other complex transactions on a global scale. This is a great opportunity for an entrepreneurial, passionate, and proactive collaborator to work closely with various divisions and stakeholders within Toyota to structure transactions, manage legal risk and ensure compliance across a wide array of projects.

The successful candidate reports to the Assistant General Counsel of MAS and will be part of an exciting and diverse team that works side-by-side with our clients to advise leadership on strategic projects involving property development, incentives and competitive practices.

This position is based in Plano, Texas. The selected candidate will be expected to reside within commutable distance of this location.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead complex strategic transactions, including joint ventures, manufacturing, supply, sales, advanced technology matters, and other cross-border commercial transactions.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and manage a high volume of complex commercial agreements, including master services, vehicle development, manufacturing and supply, software and hardware, electrification, advanced technology, strategic investment and commercial collaboration agreements.
• Advise on legal issues, risks, business strategies, and complex agreement structures in an agile business environment, partnering with Toyota Motor North America business leads and executives, affiliates, and its parent company in Japan, Toyota Motor Corporation, throughout each stage of the transaction process.
• Advise on and manage trade compliance matters, including import and export controls, customs requirements, economic sanctions, rules/policies (e.g. U.S. Connected Vehicle Rule) and trade programs (e.g. USMCA).
• Stay current on emerging legal issues involving mobility, electrification, autonomous driving, AI, ridesharing, infrastructure, energy management, data connectivity, privacy, cross-border data transactions, and other advanced technology areas, while helping business clients develop practical solutions in a rapidly evolving industry.
• Support continuous improvement of standard legal processes and agreements as the company grows.
• Manage outside counsel assignments and legal spend.

What you bring

• J.D. degree and active membership in good standing in the bar of at least one U.S. state/jurisdiction.
• A minimum of 10 years of solid legal practice experience, working preferably in a major law firm and/or a multinational corporation.
• Demonstrated experience in working as part of a cross-functional or culturally diverse team, including working across multiple time zones and languages, and cultures.
• Team player with an ability to work autonomously and manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Ability and willingness to travel 15 to 20% of the time both domestically and internationally for “genchi genbutsu” (go and see the actual issue with your own eyes) to understand the “genba” (actual place of work) and work closely with the business teams on the front line of each matter.

Added bonus if you have

• Experience working in the automotive, manufacturing, technology or mobility industry.
• Experience in complex joint ventures, real estate, technology, manufacturing, supply chain, regulatory, or compliance matters.
• Experience with/exposure to the international trade implications associated with transactions in a multinational corporate setting which should include export controls, sanctions and general import, export and supply chain considerations.
• Experience working in a dynamic international environment.
• Japanese or other bilingual language capabilities is a plus.
• Previous in-house experience, including management and supervision of outside counsel, internal budgets, and project coordination.

What We’ll Bring

During your interview process, our team can fill you in on all the details of our industry-leading benefits and career development opportunities. A few highlights include:

• A work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career, as well as tuition reimbursement
• Team Member Vehicle Purchase Discount
• Toyota Team Member Lease Vehicle Program (if applicable)
• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans for your entire family
• Toyota 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match, as well as an annual retirement contribution from Toyota regardless of whether you contribute (if applicable)
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Referral services related to prenatal services, adoption, childcare, schools and more
• Tax Advantaged Accounts (Health Savings Account, Health Care FSA, Dependent Care FSA)
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)

Belonging at Toyota

Our success begins and ends with our people. We embrace all perspectives and value unique human experiences. Respect for all is our North Star.

Applicants for our positions are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, military or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.