Senior Counsel
Circle is an innovative financial technology company that operates at the forefront of the emerging internet of money. We enable the seamless and efficient transfer of value globally, instantly, and at a lower cost than traditional settlement systems. Our revolutionary infrastructure, including USDC, a blockchain-based dollar, empowers businesses, institutions, and developers to leverage these opportunities and capitalize on the convergence of money and technology.
Your Role:
As a key member of our team, you will directly contribute to complex commercial transactions and marketing initiatives. Working closely with the Assistant General Counsel - Commercial, you will support our Business and Business Development segments, as well as our compliance and vendor management departments, as we introduce new products and expand into new markets.
Responsibilities:
In this role, you will:
- Establish strong partnerships with our Product, Business, Compliance, and Finance teams, facilitating effective communication.
- Structure, negotiate, and draft intricate fintech, payments, crypto, and tech transactions, balancing legal risk with business objectives to foster partnerships and drive opportunities.
- Assisting in the development and expansion of contract templates and terms of use to accommodate new and existing products and services.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of processes, procedures, and metrics to enhance the effectiveness of our legal services, including efficient contracting processes.
- Address legal risk from a business perspective, developing processes to solve problems, strengthen partnerships, and pursue opportunities.
- Assist business leaders with contract interpretation and management.
- Stay up to date on relevant developments in finance, payments, and digital currency to provide comprehensive marketing compliance advice.
Our Core Values:
You will embody our four core values:
- Multistakeholder: Dedication and commitment to our customers, shareholders, employees, and communities.
- Mindful: Respectful, attentive, and detail-oriented.
- Driven by Excellence: Relentlessly pursue excellence, refuse mediocrity, and work passionately for customer success.
- High Integrity: Value open and honest communication, maintain high ethical standards, and reject manipulation and dishonesty.
Qualifications:
To be successful in this role, you should have:
- 6+ years (Counsel) or 10+ years (Senior Counsel) of practical legal experience, preferably with both law firm (AM Law 100) and in-house experience.
- Extensive experience in drafting and negotiating complex fintech, financial services, and tech agreements.
- Collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams, particularly Product, Business, and Compliance teams, on strategic partnerships.
- Advised clients on risk mitigation for technology product platforms.
- A passionate interest in financial technology and the disruptive potential of cryptocurrency and blockchains.
- A team player with a sense of humor, keen on both learning and mentoring.
- Comfortable working in a dynamic environment with multiple ongoing projects.
- Ability to provide practical legal recommendations with sound business judgment, balancing legal risks and problem-solving creatively.
- Autonomy to work independently with minimal guidance, yet adaptable to collaborative teamwork.
- JD degree (preferably from a top-ranked law school) and active membership in at least one state bar.
- Proficiency in Google Suite, Slack, and Apple MacOS preferred.
Additional Information:
- This position may offer day-one PERM sponsorship for qualified candidates.
- Compensation range in New York City, NY: $170,000 - $235,000 base pay, with a 17.5% annual bonus target.
- Additional benefits include equity, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), discretionary vacation policy, 10 days of paid sick leave per year, and 11 paid holidays per year in the U.S.
At Circle, we value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We also participate in the E-Verify Program in certain locations, as required by law.
\#LI-Remote