Overview
An organization is seeking a dynamic and driven Associate Counsel to join their fast-moving Legal team as a corporate generalist. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, this role involves broad-based legal support including corporate governance, commercial contracting, litigation management, and technology matters across fintech, trading evaluation, and technology offerings.
This position requires 4 to 6 years of corporate, transactional, and commercial legal experience, either in-house or at a law firm, preferably advising fintech, SaaS, or similar businesses. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in commercial contracting, corporate governance, data privacy, and cybersecurity, with the ability to keep pace with a rapidly growing platform.
Preference will be given to applicants located in Chicago.
Responsibilities
- Manage outside counsel for specialized legal matters as needed.
- Draft, review, and maintain user-facing documentation such as terms of service, privacy policies, acceptable use policies, trader agreements, and related disclosures.
- Draft, review, and negotiate SaaS agreements, software licensing agreements, vendor contracts, and other technology-related commercial agreements, including data processing agreements.
- Draft and review general corporate documentation and assist with organizing minute books.
- Manage litigation and subpoena requests.
- Provide legal counsel on a broad range of matters impacting product development and engineering teams.
- Advise cybersecurity and privacy teams on data privacy and cybersecurity issues, including potential data security incidents and access requests.
- Serve as a legal resource for trader support regarding trader rules, account eligibility, agreement interpretation, and rule application.
- Conduct legal research and provide practical advice to leadership on legal risks, regulatory trends, and contract matters.
- Participate in training initiatives and deliver presentations on legal and compliance topics to internal teams.
Required Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
- Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- 4-6 years of legal experience in-house or at a mid-to-large law firm, focusing on corporate, commercial, and technology transactions.
- Solid experience drafting and negotiating SaaS agreements, licensing agreements, technology-related commercial agreements, and vendor contracts relevant to SaaS or fintech organizations.
- Experience with general corporate governance, including entity maintenance and minute book organization.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of explaining complex legal concepts to non-lawyers.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize competing demands.
- Demonstrated initiative in improving processes, templates, or workflows beyond assigned tasks.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365, document management systems, and collaboration tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior in-house counsel experience at a fintech company, trading firm, or SaaS provider, or experience at a mid-to-large law firm advising clients in these sectors.
- Experience supporting product development teams in agile or fast-paced fintech or SaaS environments.
- Proven ability to build relationships across departments to facilitate deal and project progress without lengthy approval delays.
- Familiarity with global privacy compliance and emerging privacy regulations, including GDPR, CCPA, GLBA, and other state data privacy laws.
Core Competencies
- Legal Expertise: Deep understanding of contracting, corporate governance, privacy, and cybersecurity matters.
- Oral Communication: Clear and persuasive communication of legal requirements and regulatory obligations.
- Written Communication: Ability to write clear, professional contracts and policies tailored to various audiences.
- Problem-Solving: Identifies legal risks and develops effective solutions within business and legal constraints.
- Professionalism: Handles sensitive matters with discretion and integrity; exercises sound judgment.
- Adaptability: Responds effectively to regulatory and business changes.
- Teamwork: Collaborates across departments to support a strong compliance culture.
- Attention to Detail: Ensures accuracy and thoroughness in drafting and reporting.
Additional Skills
- Ability to read and interpret complex regulatory documents, contracts, laws, and legal guidance.
- Strong critical thinking and reasoning skills to evaluate legal risks and develop balanced solutions.
- Proficiency with Google Drive, Docs, CRM platforms, and ability to quickly learn new technologies.
- Strong organizational and project management skills; ability to multitask in a dynamic environment.
- Comfortable working under tight deadlines and shifting priorities.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary range: $185,000 - $210,000, adjusted based on geographic region, knowledge, skills, and experience.
- Eligibility for a performance-based bonus according to plan terms.
- Seven company-paid holidays and generous family leave.
- Paid time off is front-loaded; vacation is encouraged with a bonus for taking five consecutive days.
- Competitive 401(k) matching.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees.
- Additional benefits include a food and groceries budget and contributions toward health and wellness.
Location
Preference for candidates based in Chicago, Illinois.
Equal Opportunity
The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.