Legal Counsel

As a Legal Counsel at HappyRobot, your primary responsibilities will include drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of commercial agreements, specifically focusing on SaaS contracts and strategic partnerships. You'll work closely with teams across the company to ensure smooth deal execution, providing legal advice on contracts, data privacy, intellectual property, and regulatory issues pertinent to enterprise software. Your role will also involve building scalable legal processes and serving as a trusted partner to the founders on strategic matters.

To be considered for the Legal Counsel position at HappyRobot, you should have 5–7 years of legal experience, ideally a mix from a leading law firm and an in-house legal team within a fast-growing tech company. Strong familiarity with B2B SaaS contracts and experience in complex commercial negotiations are vital. Additionally, you should be comfortable working in a cross-functional and fast-paced startup environment, demonstrating excellent communication skills and commercial judgment.

HappyRobot supports its Legal Counsel by fostering a collaborative environment where teamwork and effective communication are paramount. You will partner closely with other departments, like sales and customer success, to streamline operations and optimize contract negotiations. Moreover, you’ll be encouraged to develop legal processes, playbooks, and templates that facilitate compliance and efficiency in our legal practices, ensuring you have the resources and autonomy to excel.

The Legal Counsel position at HappyRobot offers significant opportunities for personal and professional growth. As a key member of a high-growth AI startup, you'll engage in varied and challenging legal work that will enhance your expertise in commercial law. The role allows you to take full ownership of projects, build scalable legal frameworks, and work alongside an exceptional team, thus paving the way for career advancement as the company expands.

HappyRobot offers a comprehensive benefits package for its Legal Counsel, including healthcare, dental, and vision coverage, all designed to support your well-being while you contribute to our dynamic team. Additionally, you'll receive a competitive salary along with equity in a high-growth startup, providing both immediate and long-term benefits as we continue to achieve significant milestones in our journey.

When answering this question, highlight specific examples of SaaS contracts you have drafted or negotiated, detailing the challenges faced and how you navigated them. Emphasize your understanding of the nuances involved in SaaS agreements, including subscription models, service level agreements, and any compliance considerations you managed.

Demonstrate your ability to manage multiple projects by discussing the prioritization techniques you use. Mention tools like task management software or legal playbooks you may have created, and how you align tasks with company goals, ensuring that urgent matters receive timely attention while still meeting all legal obligations.

Share specific strategies you've implemented previously, such as creating standardized templates for common agreements or advising on legal language that minimizes back-and-forth. Discuss how open communication with sales and other departments can facilitate faster negotiations and improve overall efficiency.

In your answer, provide a thorough overview of a scenario where you tackled regulatory issues, discussing how you researched applicable laws, communicated findings to stakeholders, and implemented necessary changes. Highlight any collaboration with other departments to ensure compliance.

Explain your approach to staying informed, whether through attending industry conferences, participating in webinars, subscribing to legal newsletters, or being active in professional associations. Mention how you integrate new knowledge into your work to proactively manage potential legal risks for the company.

Discuss the importance of the Legal Counsel's role in fostering a culture of compliance, transparency, and trust within a tech startup. Highlight how proactive legal guidance can help to empower employees, mitigate risks, and contribute to a collaborative and ethical work environment.

Share a specific story of a complex negotiation, detailing the stakes involved, how you prepared for and conducted the negotiation, and the final outcome. Highlight the lessons learned from the experience and how it has shaped your approach to legal negotiations in the future.

Outline your methodical approach to contract analysis, noting how you review terms and conditions thoroughly to identify red flags or potential liabilities. Discuss any tools or frameworks you utilize to document and mitigate those risks and how you communicate your findings to involved stakeholders.

In answering this question, express your enthusiasm for the technology and innovation that HappyRobot stands for. Connect your legal expertise with the mission of the company and how you see your role significantly contributing to its success. Show that you have researched the company culture and values, demonstrating a fit for the team.

Articulate your strategy for handling such situations, emphasizing the importance of open communication and maintaining trust. Discuss how you would respectfully present your viewpoint, provide evidence to support your position, and aim for a collaborative resolution that takes both legal and business perspectives into account.