Commercial Counsel

About the Role

A growing legal services team is seeking a hands-on Commercial Counsel to manage a high volume of commercial agreements for startup clients. You will provide practical, business-oriented legal advice and help develop repeatable standards and AI-supported workflows.

What You'll Do

• Independently negotiate MSAs, SaaS agreements, NDAs, DPAs, vendor contracts, partnership deals, and other commercial agreements.

• Draft agreements and templates across a range of contract and business types.

• Advise founders and in-house teams through messaging and calls, focusing on actionable guidance that helps close deals.

• Turn negotiation positions and review standards into playbooks and AI-supported workflows.

• Help onboard and support an additional commercial counsel as the team grows, with potential to take on a leadership role over time.

What We're Looking For

• At least 3 years of commercial legal experience in private practice or a hands-on in-house role; 2 years may be considered for candidates with strong law firm training.

• JD and active US bar membership in good standing. California admission is strongly preferred; New York admission may also be suitable.

• Experience independently negotiating and drafting a broad range of commercial agreements, including SaaS contracts, MSAs, NDAs, DPAs, vendor deals, and partnership or channel agreements.

• Strong understanding of market terms for liability, indemnity, intellectual property, data, and termination, with sound judgment about which terms to hold and where to compromise.

• A practical, deal-closing approach, with the ability to explain key risks clearly and work constructively with opposing counsel.

• Comfort using AI tools in legal work and creating or improving playbooks and AI workflows.

• Recent experience as a hands-on individual contributor, with the ability to deliver timely redlines and refine agreements collaboratively.

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary is $170,000 to $220,000 annually, plus 0.2% to 0.5% equity. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Location

Remote within the United States, with San Francisco as the primary location. The role requires occasional travel to the San Francisco office, approximately one to two times per quarter.