Legal Counsel in London

Legal Counsel in London

London Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Draft and negotiate commercial agreements while advising on IP and data privacy matters.
  • Company: Join a high-growth AI startup backed by top investors like a16z and Y Combinator.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and the chance to work with a world-class team.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to shape the future of technology.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while owning your projects.
  • Qualifications: 6+ years of legal experience with strong skills in drafting and negotiation.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

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.

Legal Counsel in London employer: Happyrobot Inc.

Join our dynamic team as a Legal Counsel at a high-growth AI startup, where you'll have the opportunity to work alongside top-tier professionals and take full ownership of your projects. We offer competitive compensation, including equity, and a collaborative work culture that fosters innovation and personal growth. With a focus on intellectual property and commercial agreements, you'll play a crucial role in shaping our legal strategies while enjoying the benefits of working in a fast-paced, supportive environment backed by leading investors.

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Contact Details:

Happyrobot Inc. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in tech startups. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Get your interview game on point! Research common legal scenarios related to IP and commercial agreements, and be ready to discuss how you’d handle them. We want to see your practical, business-oriented approach in action!

Tip Number 3

Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of contracts or templates you’ve worked on, bring them along to your interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your drafting and negotiation prowess.

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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team!

We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel in London

Legal Drafting
Contract Negotiation
Intellectual Property Law
Data Privacy Compliance
GDPR Knowledge
Commercial Agreements
SaaS Agreements

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Legal Counsel role. Highlight your experience with commercial agreements and intellectual property, as these are key areas for us. Show us how your skills align with our needs!

Showcase Your Experience:We want to see your relevant legal experience front and centre. Include specific examples of contracts you've drafted or negotiated, especially SaaS agreements and NDAs. This will help us understand your practical skills and how you can contribute.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at Happyrobot Inc.

Know Your Legal Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of commercial agreements, especially SaaS agreements and NDAs. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you successfully negotiated or drafted these types of contracts.

Understand the Business

Get familiar with the company's business model and how legal decisions impact their growth. This will help you provide practical, business-oriented legal advice during the interview, showing that you can balance legal risk with commercial objectives.

Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills

Prepare to discuss how you've worked with different teams in the past, like product or engineering. Highlight any experiences where you built trusted relationships with stakeholders, as this is crucial for a role that requires collaboration across various departments.

Stay Updated on Legal Trends

Be aware of the latest developments in EU data privacy laws and intellectual property matters. Bring up recent changes or cases that could affect the company, demonstrating your proactive approach to staying informed and your ability to assess their impact on the business.