At a Glance
- Tasks: Draft and negotiate commercial agreements while advising on intellectual property and data privacy matters.
- Company: Join HappyRobot, an innovative AI startup transforming the real economy.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and the chance to work with top investors.
- Other info: Collaborate with a world-class team and enjoy rapid career growth opportunities.
- 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 contract negotiation and IP law.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ 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.
Benefits
- 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 employer: HappyRobot
HappyRobot is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation thrives and employees are empowered to take ownership of their projects. With competitive compensation packages, including equity in a high-growth startup, and the opportunity to collaborate with a world-class team, employees can expect significant professional growth and development in the rapidly evolving AI sector. Our culture prioritises autonomy and creativity, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the technology landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the legal field, especially those who work in tech or startups. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of intellectual property and data privacy laws. We want to see you confidently discuss how these areas impact business operations—show us you know your stuff!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings; be proactive! If you think you'd be a great fit for HappyRobot, apply directly through our website. Tailor your application to highlight your experience with SaaS agreements and commercial contracts.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in the interviewer's mind—plus, it’s just good manners!
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Legal Counsel role. Highlight your experience with commercial agreements and intellectual property, as these are key for us at HappyRobot. Use specific examples that showcase your skills in drafting and negotiating contracts.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for our team. Share your passion for AI and how your legal expertise can support our mission. Keep it concise but impactful—this is your chance to make a great first impression!
Showcase Your Cross-Functional Experience:We love candidates who can work across different teams. In your application, mention any experience you have collaborating with product, engineering, or sales teams. This will show us that you can navigate our fast-paced environment effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:To ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you faster. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining HappyRobot!
How to prepare for a job interview at HappyRobot
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of intellectual property and commercial agreements. Familiarise yourself with the types of contracts you'll be dealing with, like SaaS agreements and NDAs. This will show that you're not just a legal whiz but also understand the business side of things.
✨Show Your Cross-Functional Skills
Since this role involves working with various teams, be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with product, engineering, or sales teams in the past. Share specific examples where your legal advice helped drive business objectives forward.
✨Stay Updated on Regulations
Keep yourself informed about the latest developments in EU data privacy laws and regulations, especially GDPR. Being able to discuss recent changes or trends will demonstrate your commitment to staying current and your ability to navigate complex legal landscapes.
✨Prepare Practical Solutions
Think about how you can provide practical, business-oriented legal advice that balances risk with commercial goals. Be ready to share examples of how you've done this in previous roles, as it will highlight your pragmatic approach and understanding of the company's needs.