Commercial Legal Counsel
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for skilled legal professionals in the tech industry has surged, with a 25% increase in job postings over the past year. As companies like Gitlab continue to expand, they require experts who can navigate complex contractual agreements and ensure compliance. With the rise of AI and digital transformation, this role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of law and technology. Before applying, candidates should be aware of the company's commitment to innovation and its expectations for incorporating AI into daily workflows.
Job Description
About the Role
As a Commercial Legal Counsel at Gitlab, you will play a crucial role in driving the company's growth by providing expert legal guidance on commercial contracting. Your primary focus will be on negotiating, drafting, and reviewing complex agreements, ensuring that they are clear, consistent, and scalable. You will work closely with internal stakeholders and external counterparties to assess legal risk and develop practical templates, policies, and processes.The Commercial Legal Counsel role is part of Gitlab's legal team, which is responsible for supporting the company's business goals while protecting its interests. As a key member of this team, you will be expected to provide trusted advice to cross-functional teams across the organization, helping them to reach their objectives while minimizing legal risk.
Gitlab is committed to creating a high-performance culture that values innovation, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. As a Commercial Legal Counsel, you will be expected to embody these values, working closely with colleagues to drive business outcomes and continuously improve the company's contracting practices.
What You Will Do
- Negotiate, draft, and review complex commercial and technology agreements, including partnership, services, consulting, marketing, licensing, data privacy, and artificial intelligence-related contracts.
- Independently manage strategic and high-priority matters tied to large-value and material transactions, partnering directly with internal stakeholders and external parties.
- Advise Sales and cross-functional Gitlab teams on contract structure, risk allocation, and practical negotiation strategies that support business goals while protecting Gitlab's interests.
- Perform risk analysis on contractual documents and recommend mitigation options, including escalation paths and alternative terms.
- Benchmark, develop, and maintain contract templates, playbooks, policies, and supporting documentation, incorporating regional legal requirements and feedback from stakeholders.
- Monitor legal and regulatory changes, assess impact on Gitlab's contracting practices, and propose clear, actionable updates to templates and processes.
- Create and deliver training for cross-functional teams on contracting best practices, legal requirements, and compliance obligations.
- Collaborate with the Public Sector team to advise on federal, state, local, and education (SLED) transactions, applying fluency in government procurement frameworks, compliance requirements, and data handling obligations.
What We Are Looking For
- Minimum 5 years of experience as a legal counsel in a technology company or law firm, with a focus on commercial contracting and compliance.
- Strong knowledge of contract law, commercial law, and regulatory requirements, including data privacy and artificial intelligence-related laws.
- Excellent negotiation, drafting, and analytical skills, with the ability to assess legal risk and develop practical solutions.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Marketing, and Product teams.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide trusted advice to internal stakeholders and external counterparties.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with a focus on driving business outcomes and continuously improving contracting practices.
- Bachelor's degree in Law or a related field, with a strong academic record.
Nice to Have
- Experience working with government procurement frameworks, compliance requirements, and data handling obligations.
- Knowledge of industry-specific regulations, such as GDPR, CCPA, or HIPAA.
- Experience with contract management software and tools, such as contract lifecycle management platforms.
- Certification in contract management or a related field, such as CCM or CLMP.
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and equity package.
- Flexible working hours and remote work options.
- Comprehensive health insurance and benefits package.
- Generous paid time off and holiday policy.
- Professional development opportunities, including training and certification programs.
- Access to cutting-edge technology and tools, including contract management software and AI-powered productivity tools.
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment, with a focus on innovation and knowledge exchange.
How to Stand Out
- To stand out as a candidate, highlight your experience with contract management software and tools, as well as your knowledge of industry-specific regulations.
- Be prepared to provide examples of complex contracts you have negotiated and drafted, and explain how you assessed legal risk and developed practical solutions.
- Show a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and tools, including AI-powered productivity tools.
- Emphasize your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Marketing, and Product teams.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with government procurement frameworks, compliance requirements, and data handling obligations.
- Consider highlighting any relevant certifications, such as CCM or CLMP, to demonstrate your expertise in contract management.
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