General Counsel

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