Overview: The General Counsel will serve as the primary legal advisor for UP.Labs and our portfolio companies, providing expert guidance on a broad range of legal matters including corporate governance, compliance, intellectual property, contracts, and transactions. This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong business acumen who can effectively manage legal risks while supporting the company's growth and innovation initiatives.
In this role you will:
- Advise the executive team on commercial contracts with large corporations.
- Provide internal support for company formation, including drafting and reviewing stock purchase agreements and other key legal documents necessary for setting up new portfolio companies.
- Structure equity and debt funding agreements for our portfolio companies.
- Craft commercial contracts for our portfolio companies to use as they go out to market and sign new customers.
- Provide legal support for portfolio company formation and M&A activities, including due diligence, structuring transactions, and integration.
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, including investment agreements, partnership agreements, service contracts, employment contracts, and vendor agreements.
- Create a counsel-as-a-service platform to support our growing portfolio, dedicating significant time to our portfolio companies in their first year.
- Advise the executive team on corporate governance best practices and draft and review corporate policies and procedures.
- Develop and implement legal strategies to support the company's objectives, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
- Manage and protect the company's intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
- Oversee compliance with applicable laws and regulations across all portfolio companies.
- Identify and mitigate legal risks associated with the company's operations and strategic initiatives.
- Manage relationships with external legal advisors and ensure efficient use of external legal resources.
- Handle disputes and litigation matters, working closely with external counsel as necessary.
You should have:
- JD from an accredited law school and admission to the bar in CA.
- Minimum of 10 years of legal experience, with significant experience in venture capital, corporate law, or a related field.
- Strong understanding of venture capital and startup ecosystems.
- Excellent negotiation, drafting, and communication skills.
- Strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- High ethical standards and integrity.
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Hybrid Work Environment: Onsite Monday-Thursday, remote Friday