Product and Commercial Counsel

As a Product and Commercial Counsel at Blend, your primary responsibilities include advising on legal and regulatory risks throughout the product development lifecycle, negotiating various commercial agreements such as sales and partnership contracts, and staying updated on industry laws like consumer protection and privacy regulations. Your role will also involve collaborating with teams across the company to ensure compliance while supporting innovative initiatives.

Candidates applying for the Product and Commercial Counsel position at Blend should possess a JD and be a member of a state bar, with a minimum of 4-6 years of experience in in-house legal departments, law firms, or governmental agencies. Strong communication, drafting, and negotiation skills are essential, along with the ability to work independently and adaptively in a fast-paced environment.

Beneficial experience for the Product and Commercial Counsel role at Blend includes expertise in SaaS issues, particularly data privacy and security, as well as in-house experience at a cloud technology or fintech company. Familiarity with consumer protection laws such as TILA, RESPA, and others will also be advantageous in successfully navigating the legal landscape in this role.

Blend fosters a collaborative and diverse work environment that supports the Product and Commercial Counsel role by encouraging team members to explore new projects and learn hands-on. This approach not only enhances individual skills but also cultivates a culture of innovative problem-solving that is crucial for navigating the evolving legal landscape in fintech.

Blend offers a competitive benefits package for the Product and Commercial Counsel position, which includes meaningful equity, comprehensive health benefits, a 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions, generous paid parental leave, and a flexible vacation policy. The company also provides stipends for home office setup and wellness benefits that support various fitness and wellness activities.

In your response, focus on specific types of agreements you've worked with, such as sales or partnership contracts. Highlight your drafting process, how you manage negotiation timelines, and how you ensure compliance with applicable laws. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the responsibilities expected in the Product and Commercial Counsel role.

Mention the strategies you utilize to stay current, such as following legal publications, attending industry conferences, or participating in relevant training sessions. Make sure to emphasize your proactive approach to legal research to show your commitment to compliance, particularly in the fintech space.

Discuss your communication strategy with cross-functional teams, emphasizing how you tailor your legal advice to align with business goals and timelines. Highlight examples of past experiences where your legal counsel successfully supported product initiatives while maintaining compliance.

Share a specific instance where you spotted a potential legal issue, such as regulatory non-compliance or contract disputes. Describe the steps you took to assess the risk and the proactive measures you implemented to mitigate it, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and legal acumen.

Detail your familiarity with laws like TILA, RESPA, or the FCRA, and give examples of how you’ve applied this knowledge in your previous roles. Discuss how understanding these regulations can influence your work as a Product and Commercial Counsel at Blend.

Describe your approach by outlining the key elements you focus on during negotiation, such as understanding the other party’s priorities, preparing terms that protect Blend's interests, and fostering a collaborative atmosphere. This showcases both your negotiation skills and your focus on partnership development.

Explain how you conduct legal reviews during the product development stages. Highlight your ability to understand market trends, legal implications, and how you guide teams in incorporating compliance measures from the outset to prevent issues down the line.

Illustrate your tactics for bridging communication gaps, such as using layman's terms when discussing legal concepts and being approachable for questions. Provide an example of a time when your approach helped facilitate collaboration and understanding between legal and non-legal teams.

Share details from a past experience where you discovered a compliance issue, steps you took to address it, and the long-term strategies you implemented to prevent similar issues in the future. This demonstrates your proactive approach to risk management.

Focus your response on Blend's mission and company culture. Express what resonates with you about making financial resources accessible and how your values align with the team’s approach to innovation and compliance in a fast-evolving sector.