Assistant Legal Counsel

Delivering Passion with Every Shipment!

Established in 2001, Apex Logistics International has become a top dependable solution for those seeking expertise in freight forwarding, contract logistics, customs brokerage, transportation management, warehousing, and distribution. With a presence in 70 countries across six continents, 42 offices, 2,500+ dedicated employees, and consistent, dependable services, Apex continues to grow rapidly and deliver passion worldwide. In 2021, Apex joined the Kuehne+Nagel Group and together have become the Number 1 Global Air Freight Forwarder.

SUMMARY:

The Assistant Legal Counsel will support the company’s legal and compliance functions within the logistics and freight forwarding sector. This role is responsible for providing legal advice on day-to-day business activities, reviewing and drafting contracts, ensuring compliance with international trade regulations, and mitigating legal risks in a fast-paced global supply chain environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Contract Management & Review

• Draft, review, and negotiate customer, vendor, and carrier agreements, including freight forwarding, warehousing, customs brokerage, transportation, and service contracts.
• Maintain standardized contract templates and support contract lifecycle management.

2. Regulatory & Compliance

• Assist in developing trade and commercial compliance policies. Implement compliance policies through employee training, review of existing practices, and coordination with global compliance and training personnel. Advise clients on compliance with U.S. and international trade laws, customs regulations, TSA, FMC, C-TPAT, FTZ, and other logistics-specific legal requirements.
• Support company policies on anti-bribery/anti-corruption (FCPA, UK Bribery Act), sanctions, and export control compliance.

3. Risk Management

• Identify potential legal risks and recommend strategies for mitigation.
• Support claims management, insurance matters, and dispute resolution processes related to cargo loss, damage, or delays.

4. Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with operations, HR, finance, and commercial teams to align legal guidance with business objectives.
• Provide legal input on RFPs, tenders, and key account contracts with multinational customers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree; admission to practice law in relevant jurisdiction.
• 3–5 years of legal experience, preferably with exposure to logistics, freight forwarding, supply chain, transportation, or international trade law.
• Strong knowledge of commercial contracts and corporate law; working knowledge of customs/trade compliance is a plus.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and drafting skills. Spanish language skills are a plus for management of Latin American outside counsel.
• Strong business acumen and solution-oriented mindset.
• High ethical standards and integrity.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Collaborative team player with ability to work across functions and geographies.
• Detail-oriented yet pragmatic, with the ability to balance risk and business needs.