This role provides a unique opportunity for the successful candidate to be part of a dynamic legal team in the European region and also to shape the strategy and direction of the future of XPO Logistics. The legal counsel will be responsible for providing all legal advice and assistance in respect of any commercial activity of the XPO Logistics companies in France and Central & Eastern Europe to ensure maximum protection of XPO Logistics’s rights and interests and to ensure legal compliance of XPO Logistics’s commercial activities under local laws. This will include in particular supporting the review of business contracts and provide legal advice to sales team and to operational people who will need it. The position will be based in Lyon (France) and will report to the Head of Legal for France and Central & Eastern Europe (who is based in Lyon).   

Responsibilities:

• Advise, raise awareness and support the operational entities of XPO Logistics to facilitate and secure the contractual relationship with customers and suppliers, prevent risks, while guaranteeing the company's interests;

• Analyze, negotiate, validate and draft legal documents for most international transport services, including tender documents or contracts, contracts under foreign law, for strategic clients of the company or covering various sectors;

• Ensure that internal processes for validating commitments are properly respected;

• Maintain internal and external contacts within the company (customers, sites, suppliers, , etc.) necessary for the preparation of documents;

• Monitor legislative or regulatory developments related to topics of interest to the company;

• Conduct internal legal training in the event of a change in law or regulation or in the event of a need being detected. Implement all policies, processes and procedures of the Legal Department set by General Counsel and/or Head of Legal of the country/sub-region of his/her responsibility.

• Effectively manage all litigation matters and disputes, including developing and implementing appropriate risk-mitigation strategies.

• Select, liaise and manage with outside counsel and other legal professional when needed.

Key contacts:

Customers, Suppliers, Directors, Sales team, Agency managers, Real estate team, FP&A, Legal team, Outside counsels and others external legal supports.

Main constraints:

Secure contracts in a context of high tension and very competitive market in very short deadlines and high level of expectations.

• Lawyer with an experience between five (5) and ten (10) years, preferably in the transport industry or as outside counsel, prior experience in commercial/transactional negotiations, is highly desirable.

• Very strong knowledge of business law, commercial leases

• Aptitude of using all the usual legal tools

• International experience

• Must be a “team-player” who is academically sound, yet commercially-oriented.

• Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory, a second language could be an advantage