Trade Attorney

Eastman Industrial Supply, Inc.; Kingsport (TN); On-site; USD 172,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Health, dental, vision insurance

HSA option

Paid holidays and personal day

PTO and vacation

Leadership and development programs

Job summary

Eastman Chemical Company is seeking an experienced Trade Attorney to serve as in-house counsel for global trade matters. The role provides practical, business-oriented legal advice on tariffs, sanctions, export controls, customs, and cross-border activities in collaboration with the Global Trade Compliance team.

The ideal candidate has a JD, active bar admission, and at least 10 years in trade law with strong negotiation, analytical, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and active bar admission.
• 10+ years of substantive experience practicing trade law and compliance; in-house preferred.
• Experience handling trade remedy cases, customs issues, export controls, and sanctions.
• Experience with investigations, voluntary disclosures, agency submissions, and cross-border transactions.

Responsibilities

• Advise on tariffs and tariff exposure; develop mitigation strategies with Global Trade Compliance and stakeholders.
• Provide legal guidance on U.S., EU and global sanctions and export controls; advise on relevant regimes.
• Lead and support internal reviews, investigations, corrective actions, and disclosures.
• Advise on anti-dumping and countervailing duty matters and trade remedy proceedings with relevant agencies.
• Advise on cross-border transactions and supply chain decisions to manage risk while enabling business objectives.
• Manage regulatory interactions and enforcement matters; coordinate with outside counsel as needed.
• Develop and enhance global trade compliance policies, procedures, and governance.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Collaboration & communication

Regulatory compliance

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) & bar admission

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 13,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2025 revenue of approximately $8.8 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com .

Responsibilities

We are seeking an experienced, strategic-minded Trade Attorney who will serve as dedicated in-house legal counsel for Eastman’s global trade matters, providing practical, business-oriented legal advice on tariffs, sanctions, export controls, customs, trade remedies, and trade-related aspects of international business activity. The role will work closely with the Global Trade Compliance team and other (regional, business and functional) stakeholders to support compliant, efficient, and risk-based cross-border operations.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serve as the company's primary legal advisor on tariffs and tariff exposure. The role will interpret and advise on new and proposed tariff measures and develop practical mitigation strategies, in cooperation with the Global Trade Compliance team and business stakeholders. This may include working with the Government Affairs team on advocacy efforts.
• Provide legal advice and training on U.S., EU and global economic sanctions and export controls. This includes advising on U.S. Export Administration Regulations, OFAC requirements, and other applicable global sanctions and export control regimes.
• Advise on potential trade compliance matters with respect to export controls, sanctions, customs, and other trade laws. The attorney will lead and/or support internal reviews and investigations, advise on corrective actions, and prepare or oversee voluntary disclosures and regulatory submissions.
• Provide legal advice on anti-dumping and countervailing duty matters and other trade remedy proceedings. Responsibilities may include interactions with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and other relevant agencies.
• Advise business and functional teams on trade-related legal aspects in international transactions, commercial arrangements, supply chain decisions, product movements, technical data transfers, mergers and acquisitions, distributor/customer arrangements, and other cross-border activities. The role will help identify practical solutions that manage legal risk while supporting business objectives.
• Manage regulatory interactions and enforcement matters:
• Lead response strategy and representation in investigations and administrative proceedings before customs, commerce, treasury, and other agencies
• Coordinate with outside counsel and consultants when specialized litigation or representation is required
• Support development and enhancement of global trade compliance policies, procedures, escalation protocols, training, and governance. The attorney will help create a clear legal escalation path for complex or privilege-sensitive matters.

What We Are Looking For:

• Excellent judgment and business acumen, with the ability to translate legal risk into actionable commercial advice
• Strategic thinking and the capacity to address complex management and product issues effectively
• Results orientation with strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to lead and adapt to change in a dynamic, fast paced, matrixed environment
• Strong collaboration, communication, and influencing skills; able to build relationships within and outside the company
• Strong negotiation skills with regulators, counterparties, and in settlement or penalty mitigation contexts
• Experience advising chemical, manufacturing, or other global industrial companies (preferred)

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active bar admission
• Minimum 10 years of substantive experience practicing trade law and compliance, with progressive responsibility; in house experience strongly preferred
• Experience in handling trade remedy cases, customs issues, export controls, and sanctions
• Experience with investigations, voluntary disclosures, agency submissions, and cross-border commercial transactions

Notice

Eastman will not accept applicants for this offered position who require visa sponsorship, including those whose status is F-1 visa OPT who subsequently would require ongoing visa sponsorship.

The base salary range for this position is $172,000 to $236,500.

At Eastman, we are committed to transparency and integrity in our compensation practices. Eastman includes salary ranges in some job postings to provide clear compensation information and to be compliant with state laws that require disclosure. Not all postings display ranges due to factors like location, market conditions, or position specifics. Compensation is based on qualifications and experience. Candidates are encouraged to discuss their salary questions during the interview process.

Your total rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. When you join Eastman, you gain access to an exceptional suite of programs designed to protect your health, grow your wealth, and fuel your career.

Compensation & Incentives

• Base pay plus performance based incentive opportunities that let you share in our success.

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive medical, prescription-drug, and dental coverage paired with a Health Savings Account option to help you save tax free dollars for care today or in the future.
• A robust menu of voluntary benefits including vision, optional life, critical illness protection, and more so you can tailor coverage to fit your life.
• Holistic wellness support: financial planning tools, family-building assistance (adoption, pregnancy, and fertility resources), parental leave, and confidential Employee Assistance Program counseling.

Retirement & Financial Strategies

• 401(k) with a company match plus an additional annual retirement contribution from Eastman to accelerate your long-term savings.

Time Away

• Eleven paid holidays, one personal day, paid time off, and paid vacation to recharge, celebrate, or handle life's moments.

Growth & Development

• Access to mentorship, learning resources, and leadership programs that empower you to thrive in your current role and chart the next steps in your career.

Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected classes as designated by law.

Eastman is committed to creating a powerfully engaged workplace, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.

Nearest Major Market: Asheville
Nearest Secondary Market: Knoxville