Legal Counsel (U.S.)

Overview

A high-growth fintech organization is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to provide strategic legal advice across the business, with a focus on financial products and partnerships. This role involves navigating complex legal and regulatory challenges in cross-border payments, cryptocurrency, foreign exchange, and technology. The Legal Counsel will work closely with product, engineering, compliance, and business teams to enable rapid growth while managing risk.

Responsibilities

• Advise product and engineering teams on legal and regulatory aspects of product design, development, and launch, especially payment and banking products
• Translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance to support compliant product growth
• Collaborate with business and compliance teams to develop and execute licensing and market entry strategies across multiple jurisdictions
• Oversee license applications and provide forward-thinking regulatory guidance on payments, money transmission, cryptocurrency, foreign exchange, and cross-border transactions globally
• Identify regulatory risks and develop pragmatic solutions to mitigate them while supporting business objectives
• Provide comprehensive legal support on corporate governance, board matters, employment and HR issues, privacy, intellectual property, fundraising, strategic transactions, and other general corporate legal needs
• Assess and mitigate legal and business risks across the organization
• Serve as a strategic partner to leadership, product, engineering, and growth teams
• Manage external counsel and consultants efficiently to deliver cost-effective, high-quality legal services
• Build scalable legal processes and frameworks to support rapid company growth
• Contribute to developing a collaborative, high-performing legal function

Requirements

• JD from an accredited law school and bar membership in good standing
• Minimum 7 years of legal experience, including significant fintech or financial services background; 15+ years preferred for senior Counsel level
• Strong knowledge of financial services and payments regulations
• Proven ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice balancing risk and commercial objectives
• Experience collaborating with product, engineering, compliance, and business teams
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills
• Self-starter who thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and takes ownership
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and execute quickly

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cryptocurrency and/or Banking as a Service products
• Background in startups or high-growth companies
• Significant experience with international regulatory regimes and cross-border transactions
• Collaborative team player with strategic legal thinking
• Comfortable making sound decisions with imperfect information
• Intellectual curiosity and courage in legal problem-solving
• View legal as an enabler of business growth, not just risk mitigation

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Equity participation in a rapidly growing company
• Opportunity to work at the forefront of fintech innovation
• Chance to make a significant impact on global financial infrastructure
• Collaborative work environment with focus on personal and professional growth

Location

Not specified

The organization is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.