Associate Counsel

Sprout is a global IT hardware retirement provider for hyperscaler and enterprise clients. We leverage a nationwide footprint (and international partner network) combined with proprietary software to enable efficient end-to-end IT asset disposition with a focus on data-bearing devices from the client to the cloud. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, NC with additional operations near Sacramento, Dallas, and Boston. Sprout provides software and services to clients in the form of our IT Asset Disposition, Certified Destruction, and Responsible Recycling solutions.

Since our founding as an electronic waste startup from a Duke University dorm room in 2014, we have been expanding at an average rate of >50% each year. By adhering to our 3 values (One Sprout, Deliver Excellence, and Integrity Matters), we are proud of our culture to move at #SproutSpeed seeking to become the emerging leader in our industry.

We are looking to hire an Associate Counsel to join Sprout’s Legal & Compliance Team, reporting directly to the General Counsel, and based in Charlotte, NC (hybrid) or fully remote for experienced candidates. This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-growing, global business as the second member of an in-house legal function that touches every part of the company.

As Associate Counsel, you will partner closely with the General Counsel across the full spectrum of legal matters facing a high-growth, operationally complex business. You will manage a diverse workload spanning commercial transactions, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance—serving as a trusted legal resource to business stakeholders while helping to scale the legal function. We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, brings sound judgment and strong drafting skills, and is eager to grow alongside the company.

Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including customer contracts, vendor agreements, NDAs, and partnership arrangements with meticulous attention to detail and organization.

• Support the legal function’s operational infrastructure, including maintaining contract templates, playbooks, and clause libraries, helping to implement and manage new legal technology platforms, and leveraging AI tools to drive efficiency across workflows.

• Provide sound legal guidance, in coordination with the General Counsel, internal subject matter experts, and external advisors, across a broad range of issues, including compliance and regulatory matters, data privacy and security, real estate, and labor and employment law.

• Serve as a practical, solutions-oriented legal resource to cross-functional teams, including operations, sales, finance, and human resources, in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving business; someone who finds ways to say ‘yes’ and enables business outcomes while managing legal risk.

• Assist with corporate governance activities, including entity management and general corporate housekeeping.

• Act as a point of contact for outside counsel and support the General Counsel in overseeing their work.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of legal experience, with meaningful time spent at a full-service law firm or within the legal department of a large, complex organization. Candidates with training in a broad-based corporate practice are especially encouraged to apply.

• JD from an accredited law school; active bar admission in good standing.

• Working knowledge of one or more of the following: environmental regulation, M&A, data privacy and security, labor and employment law, trade compliance and export controls, and general corporate law. Experience with international operations or multi-jurisdictional legal matters is a plus.

• Strong legal drafting, research, and analytical skills with meticulous attention to detail.

• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements.

• Excellent judgment and the ability to balance legal risk with business objectives in a fast-moving environment.

• Pragmatic, commercially minded, and comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with business stakeholders at all levels.

• Adaptable and resourceful—energized by the pace and breadth of a high-growth company where no two days look the same.

EEO – Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ancestry, nationality, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or on any other basis prohibited by law (except where an attribute is a bona fide occupational qualification).