At a Glance
- Tasks: Draft and negotiate commercial agreements while advising on intellectual property matters.
- Company: Join HappyRobot, a cutting-edge AI startup transforming the real economy.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and the chance to work with top investors.
- Other info: Opportunity for ownership and autonomy in a rapidly growing company.
- Why this job: Be part of a world-class team and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 6+ years legal experience, strong contract negotiation skills, and knowledge of EU data privacy laws.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About HappyRobot
HappyRobot is the AI-native operating system for the real economy—a system that closes the circuit between intelligence and action. By combining real-time truth, specialized AI workers, and an orchestrating intelligence, we help enterprises run complex, mission-critical operations with true autonomy.
Our AI OS compounds knowledge, optimizes at every level, and evolves over time. We’re starting with supply chain and industrial-scale operations, where resilience, speed, and continuous improvement matter most—freeing humans to focus on strategy, creativity, and other high-value tasks.
About the Role
We’re looking for a smart, practical, and business-oriented Legal Counsel to support our growing business with a focus on intellectual property and commercial agreements. This role will work cross-functionally with product, engineering, sales, partnerships, and operations teams to ensure our IP is protected and our commercial arrangements are sound, scalable, and aligned with our strategic goals.
Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including SaaS agreements, MSAs, enterprise agreements, licensing agreements, vendor agreements, reseller agreements, partnership agreements, Order Forms, DPAs, NDAs, and services agreements.
- Advise internal stakeholders on commercial, intellectual property, and data privacy matters related to product development, partnerships, customer relationships, and business operations.
- Review and negotiate data processing agreements (DPAs) and advise on compliance with EU data privacy laws and regulations, including GDPR and other applicable state privacy frameworks.
- Support the company’s intellectual property strategy, including trademark, copyright, patent, trade secret, and IP ownership matters.
- Assist with open-source software compliance, employee and contractor IP assignment matters, and IP diligence processes.
- Build, improve, and maintain legal templates, negotiation playbooks, internal policies, and scalable contracting workflows to increase operational efficiency.
- Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice that balances risk mitigation with commercial objectives and enables business growth.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments related to commercial law, intellectual property, SaaS businesses, and data privacy, and assess their impact on the company.
- Support fundraising, due diligence, and other strategic corporate initiatives as needed.
- Manage external counsel effectively when specialized legal support is required.
Requirements
- 6+ years of relevant legal experience, ideally combining experience at a reputable law firm and an in-house legal team at a startup or high-growth technology company.
- Strong experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating SaaS agreements, MSAs, enterprise agreements, NDAs, DPAs, Order Forms and other commercial contracts.
- Solid understanding of EU data privacy laws and regulations, including GDPR and other state-specific privacy requirements.
- Experience handling intellectual property matters, including trademarks, patents, copyright, licensing, and IP ownership issues.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills with a pragmatic, solution-oriented, and risk-based approach.
- Strong commercial judgment and ability to balance legal risk with business priorities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and high contract volume efficiently in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
- Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and execution with attention to detail and urgency.
- Proven ability to work cross-functionally and build trusted relationships with business stakeholders.
Nice to Have
- Experience supporting fundraising transactions, due diligence exercises, and broader corporate legal matters.
- Familiarity with employment law and general corporate governance matters.
- Experience creating and implementing legal automation processes, templates, and operational workflows.
- Background in software, AI/ML, digital content, or other technology-driven industries.
Why join us?
- Opportunity to work at a high-growth AI startup, backed by top investors.
- Rapidly growing and backed by top investors including a16z, Y Combinator, and Base10.
- Ownership & Autonomy - Take full ownership of projects and ship fast.
- Top-Tier Compensation - Competitive salary + equity in a high-growth startup.
- Work With the Best - Join a world-class team of engineers and builders.
Our Operating Principles
- Extreme Ownership - We take full responsibility for our work, outcomes, and team success.
- Craftsmanship - Putting care and intention into every task, striving for excellence.
- We are “majos” - Be friendly & have fun with your coworkers.
- Urgency with Focus - Create the highest impact in the shortest amount of time.
- Talent Density and Meritocracy - Hire only people who can raise the average.
- First-Principles Thinking - Strip a problem to physics-level facts, ignore industry dogma.
The personal data provided in your application and during the selection process will be processed by Happyrobot, Inc., acting as Data Controller.
Legal Counsel · London employer: Happyrobot Inc.
HappyRobot is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation meets autonomy. Employees enjoy top-tier compensation, equity opportunities, and the chance to collaborate with a world-class team dedicated to pushing boundaries in AI technology. With a strong emphasis on ownership, craftsmanship, and a supportive culture, HappyRobot fosters personal and professional growth, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel · London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at HappyRobot. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the company culture and what they really value.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding HappyRobot's mission and values. Show us how your skills align with our goals, especially in areas like intellectual property and commercial agreements. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about what we do!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since the role involves drafting and negotiating various agreements, be ready to discuss your approach to balancing legal risks with business needs. We want to see your practical, solution-oriented mindset in action.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at HappyRobot.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel · London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Legal Counsel. Highlight your experience with commercial agreements and intellectual property, as these are key areas for us at HappyRobot. Use specific examples that showcase your skills and achievements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our mission. Be genuine and let your personality come through—after all, we’re looking for someone who fits our culture!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t just list your qualifications—demonstrate how you've tackled challenges in the past. We love candidates who can think critically and provide practical solutions, so share examples that highlight your problem-solving prowess.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at HappyRobot!
How to prepare for a job interview at Happyrobot Inc.
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of intellectual property and commercial agreements. Brush up on your knowledge of GDPR and other data privacy laws, as these will be crucial in your role. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re not just a candidate, but a potential asset.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
HappyRobot values sharp problem-solving skills, so come prepared with examples of how you've tackled complex legal issues in the past. Think about times when you balanced legal risks with business objectives and be ready to share those stories. This will demonstrate your practical approach and ability to think on your feet.
✨Understand Their Culture
Familiarise yourself with HappyRobot's operating principles, like extreme ownership and craftsmanship. During the interview, reflect these values in your answers. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely resonate with their mission and culture. This connection can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the company and the role. Inquire about their current challenges in IP management or how they envision the legal team supporting their growth. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also gives you a clearer picture of what working there would be like.