Founding Partner, Lawyer

Overview

Full-time role based in San Francisco with a remote work location.

This role involves co-founding and building a new, AI-native law firm operating model in California.

Responsibilities

• Own and operate the law firm, including your license, firm entity, clients, and professional judgment.
• Build the law practice under a California-compliant structure, with legal independence and no direction or control over legal judgment by others.
• Co-found and incorporate a management services organization (MSO) alongside the partner organization.
• Lead the MSO creation for all non-legal-practice functions, including:
  • AI systems the firm runs on
  • engineering
  • operations
  • finance
  • marketing
  • administration
  • recruiting
• Serve the firm through the MSO under an arm’s-length services agreement, with the MSO receiving a services fee.

Requirements

• Admitted in California and in good standing.
• Senior enough that clients hire you based on your qualifications.
• You have a book of business and can convert relationships with GCs, partners, founders, and alumni into engagements.
• You have considered starting your own firm but did not proceed due to not wanting to spend three years building a back office.
• Demonstrated ethics expertise, including:
  • independence of professional judgment
  • fee-sharing rules
  • confidentiality
  • rules against unauthorized practice
  • understanding where MSO-related limits sit
• Strong preference for solving legal matters (“legal craft”) over pitching or discussing the process.
• Tech-curious mindset and comfort with AI in legal practice.
• Comfortable with an early-stage environment (no established brand, precedent bank, or support staff on day one).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building or advising on MSO, ABS, or other alternative legal service structures.
• Prior ownership of a P&L or a practice group.
• Litigation experience alongside advisory work.
• Second language.

Compensation & Benefits

• Founder equity in the MSO.
• Economics of your own firm.
• Founder co-founding structure rather than employment.

Location

• San Francisco
• Remote