Exclusive Search: General Counsel – Orbis (McLean, VA)
Orbis — a privately held Defense-Intelligence firm headquartered in McLean, Virginia — has engaged Garrison on an exclusive basis to recruit a General Counsel to serve as the company’s chief legal advisor. With more than 15 years of experience supporting the U.S. Government and allied partners across four continents, Orbis operates at the nexus of defense, intelligence, and technology.
The General Counsel will serve as a key strategic advisor to C-Suite leadership and the Board of Directors. This is a hands-on, business-oriented role that blends sophisticated legal oversight with practical, operational support in a fast-moving, global environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as chief legal advisor to C-Suite leadership and the Board of Directors
- Oversee all corporate legal, compliance, and risk management activities
- Serve concurrently as Director of Contracts, overseeing all aspects of commercial contracting (including software and data licenses), negotiation, and governance
- Provide counsel on export control issues (ITAR, EAR) and related technology transfer matters
- Support strategic initiatives, transactions, and corporate governance matters
- Direct the Legal Department budget and manage relationships with outside counsel
- Partner with HR on employment law issues and lead compliance training programs
- Ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS and other government contracting frameworks
- Develop a legal strategy aligned with Orbis’ long-term business objectives
Requirements
- 15+ years of corporate legal experience, including tenure at a top-tier law firm and in-house experience with a defense technology or PE-backed company
- Expertise in export controls, technology transactions, data privacy, and intellectual property (trademark, trade secret, etc.)
- Solid understanding of FAR/DFARS, government procurement, and compliance obligations
- Experience managing legal and compliance matters for foreign subsidiaries or representative offices
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and leadership skills with sound business judgment
- U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a Top-Secret security clearance required
- Familiarity with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is a plus
Compensation and Benefits
Orbis offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, including base salary, annual performance bonus, equity participation, and a comprehensive suite of benefits. Hybrid schedule
**Local candidates only please