Overview

We are hiring our first dedicated commercial counsel to take the lead for our clients on a wide variety of transactions and strategic matters. Supporting mission-driven and impact-focused founders is what we are all about, and we are looking for someone who wants to use their talents to increase our clients’ speed and scale. 

The best person for this role will have very high horsepower (IQ) and extremely high attention to detail, balanced by efficiency, pragmatism, and a deft ability to care for all stakeholders (EQ); they will also have a strong sense of purpose and be actively engaged in personal growth.

They will be excited about the career opportunities presented by working directly with hundreds of fast-growing organizations, although they will also want their next role to last for a while (four or five years, not two). They will be seeking alignment in their career, genuine friendships at work, and an elite, fast-paced practice that allows significant flexibility for family & friends, movement, rest, and hobbies.

The Firm

Cedar Grove LLP is a mission-driven law firm helping good people build good organizations. With deep ties to Stanford University, Y Combinator, and the Silicon Valley startup community, we advise for-profit and nonprofit organizations throughout their life cycle on (i) corporate legal matters (e.g., fundraising and equity issuance), (ii) employment (e.g., hiring and firing), (iii) commercial (e.g., compliance and customer contracts), and (iv) operations and strategy. We are growing very quickly.

Mission

Our mission is the foundation of the firm.

Role and Location

This is a full-time role for a Commercial Counsel. All team members work remotely, with opportunities to co-work in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Quarterly off-sites are typically Thursday-Saturday in January, April, July, and October.

Responsibilities

• Create value for our clients with efficient, thoughtful, momentum-generating advice

• Directly maintain and grow client relationships with exceptional service

• Act as outside general counsel to startup companies from formation through maturity

• Draft, review, and negotiate customer and vendor agreements, including MSAs, SaaS/subscription agreements, and order forms

• Create and maintain contract templates and playbooks to streamline client contracting processes

• Advise on data privacy and security matters, including DPAs, privacy policies, and compliance with CCPA, GDPR, and other applicable data protection laws

• Negotiate and manage intellectual property licensing, technology transfer, and IP assignment agreements

• Advise on e-commerce, marketplace, and platform agreements, including terms of service

• Advise clients on contract risk, including limitation of liability, indemnification, warranty, and dispute resolution provisions

• Conduct legal due diligence on commercial contracts for M&A and financing transactions (from the commercial side — contract review, change-of-control provisions, assignment restrictions, etc.)

• Collaborate with corporate attorneys, paralegals, legal operations, and software developers

Background and Experience

• Required:

  • T14 law school

  • 2-6 years of experience at a top law firm

  • Strong business acumen and commercial awareness in the technology sector

  • U.S. residence and bar license

• Preferred:

  • 2+ years of experience at Gunderson, Cooley, Fenwick, Wilson Sonsini, Goodwin, Orrick, or another startup-focused law firm

  • 1-2 years of additional experience in-house as legal counsel or operator at early to late-stage private tech companies

  • California residence and license

  • Demonstrated interest in mission-driven work, particularly in health, climate, or sustainability sectors

Qualities

• Mission-aligned

• Growth mindset

• Learns really (really) quickly

• Efficient perfectionist

• Intuitive, systems-level approach to creating value for clients and the firm

• Works collaboratively but autonomously

Culture, Hours, Compensation, Benefits

• Mission-driven culture

• 1,200 billed hours (clients) and up to 800 other hours (think legal AI infrastructure and tooling, meetings, off-sites, operations, etc.)

• Hours arrangements and mix can vary:

  • Partnership track requires more hours, especially nonbillable

  • 80% and 60% arrangements are available

• Very competitive compensation ($250k-$400k) depending on experience and arrangement

• Significant opportunities for learning, upskilling, and career advancement

• Protected weekends, federal holidays, and important personal events

• Remote

  • M-W-F standing video calls

  • Quarterly in-person off-sites (typically Thursday - Saturday)

• Modern tools and systems

• Freedom to build your skillset and book of business

• A culture that is kind & supportive, where we foster genuine friendships, not just “collegiality”

Process (~1 Month)

Application: Submit online. We encourage you to find a warm introduction to Sam, Michael, or Victoria. Our typical interview process is below, but we may adjust to give candidates the opportunity to meet the full team:

• Screener call (15 min)

• 1:1 with Sam (30 min)

• Technical Interview (administered live over video call)

• Final round group interview or in-person dinner (we will cover travel expenses)

We look forward to meeting you.