Founding Commercial Legal Counsel

I’m working with a well-funded, early-stage AI company operating at the intersection of scientific discovery, drug development and commercial AI.

San Francisco preferred | New York considered

In-office role, typically 3-4 days per week

AI / life sciences / drug discovery

They are now looking for their first legal hire: a commercially sharp lawyer who can support customer deals with major pharma, biotech and life sciences organisations, while also helping build the wider legal and commercial operations function from scratch.

This is not a traditional in-house counsel role.

The right person will need to be comfortable advising in real time on MSAs, services agreements, customer contracts, licensing points, indemnity, liability and commercial risk. They will also be willing to step beyond legal into broader operations, including process design, compliance, finance, tax, external advisers and company-building.

Essential background:

• US-qualified lawyer, ideally California barred, New York also considered
• 3+ years’ legal experience in BigLaw, in-house, or both
• Strong commercial contracting experience
• Exposure to technology transactions, life sciences, biotech, pharma, AI, SaaS or licensing
• Startup, founder, operator, finance, consulting or STEM background would be useful
• High agency, low ego, comfortable with ambiguity

This would suit a lawyer who wants to move closer to the business rather than sit inside a large legal team reviewing contracts in a carefully padded corporate playpen.

The company is around 50 people, well-capitalised, growing quickly and already working with sophisticated life sciences customers.

Compensation is expected to be $220k-$320k base plus equity, depending on experience.

Visa sponsorship and relocation support are available.

Confidential enquiries welcome.