General Counsel

About Us:

LeoLabs is the leading provider of integrated solutions that persistently monitor activity in space to reveal threats to safety and security.  Through our unique global radar network and AI-enabled analytic platform, we collect millions of measurements per day across more than 21,000 objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) to maintain a living map of orbital traffic.  LeoLabs is transforming how military space commands, civil government agencies, commercial satellite operators see, understand and act on opportunities to protect and defend their assets in space. 

The Opportunity:

LeoLabs supports space domain awareness and space traffic management missions across U.S. Government, International Government, and Commercial customers.  LeoLabs is venture backed and has raised over $120M from a diverse set of investors including several foreign firms. 

In the first half of 2024, the company booked more than $20M in contract awards across an expanding global customer base. This includes the U.S. Space Force, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and several unnamed U.S. and international government customers. The company is proud to now support eight nations including the space commands and civil space agencies of key U.S. Allies and Partners and is trusted by commercial space operators that own 75% of the operational satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

The General Counsel will oversee all legal aspects of the company’s operations. With a deep knowledge of the company, industry and associated legal, regulatory, and compliance issues, the GC will provide guidance on corporate planning, strategic decision-making, and business growth.  This role involves providing strategic legal counsel to the Board of Directors, the CEO, the Executive Team, and other senior management.

We are a fast-growing entrepreneurial team working at the convergence of space, technology and national security.  Successful GC candidates must possess strong initiative, as well as excellent management and leadership skills, and strong business acumen, as the work will be varied and dynamic in nature.

Responsibilities:

Legal Strategy and Execution: Develop and implement the company’s legal strategy to promote and protect the company’s matters of import and deliver legal services to accomplish corporate objectives and priorities

·        Corporate Governance: Advise the Board of Directors on corporate governance matters and ensure compliance with corporate policies and procedures.

·        Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the company complies with all applicable laws and regulations, particularly those related to export control of dual use space technology.

·        Contract Management: Oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of all contracts, including customer agreements, vendor contracts, and partnership agreements.  Experience with complex licensing and data rights issues with public sector customers

·        Risk Management: Identify and mitigate legal risks associated with the company’s operations and strategic initiatives.

·        Litigation Management: Manage and oversee litigation and dispute resolution matters.

·        Intellectual Property: Protect the company’s intellectual property and manage IP-related legal issues while taking advantage of government sources of non-dilutive capital

·        Team Leadership: Lead and mentor the legal and contract team, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.

·        Employee Relations: Provide legal guidance on employment related matters, including but not limited to employment offers, terminations, contracts, policies, and disputes

·        External Relations: Manage relations with external legal counsel and other stakeholders.  Support engagements with clients, legislators, and regulators

·        Corporate Development: Support the development of private capital fundraising activities and actively oversee due diligence of mergers and acquisitions

Qualifications:

·        Proven and seasoned experience as a General Counsel or comparable role at a rapidly scaling company in the space and defense tech industry

·        Exceptional judgement for weighing inputs and evaluating potential courses of action

·        Strong leadership and collaboration skills

·        Exceptional verbal and written communications skills

·        Strategic legal and business acumen and excellent problem-solving capabilities

·        In-depth understanding of FOCI mitigations and the National Industrial Security Program

·        Strong knowledge of corporate governance, compliance, and risk management practices

·        Active bar admission required

·        Ability to travel up to 25% including support for international customers and legal entities

Preferred Experience:

·        U.S. Citizen with an active U.S. security clearance.

·        Proven experience as a senior executive in national security or defense.

·        Familiarity with international business operations and cross border regulatory issues.

·        Knowledge of the Defense Tech and Space Tech investor ecosystem.

Within 1 month, you’ll:

·        Complete our onboarding program designed to get you up to speed on our business, vision and team

·        Gain an understanding about how your role fits into LeoLabs broader organization.

·        Meet internal LeoLabs team as well as outside legal counsel and consultants

·        Become familiar with the company structure and business process and the daily/weekly/monthly duties

·        Review our current legal templates and management systems

Within 3 months, you’ll:

·        Intake and review legal inquiries with minimal supervision

·        Attend regular legal meetings and engagements with outside counsel

·        Become proficient in navigating our internal legal systems

Within 6 months, you’ll:

·        Engage directly with stakeholders within the company to assess legal risks and facilitate problem resolution

·        Review contracts, agreements, NDAs, etc. for legal sufficiency

·        Monitor and identify legal risks during global expansion

Within 12 months, you’ll:

·        Identify areas to streamline the internal legal process

·        Engage directly with outside legal counsel and consultants

·        Provide management with insightful legal analysis

(We do not work with outside staffing agencies)

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. More information regarding ITAR can be found at DDTC’s website here.