General Counsel

Clearspeed

$225K — $320K *
Legal & Accounting
15+ years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree and active bar membership.
  • 20+ years of legal experience in-house at a tech firm or advising government contracting clients.
  • Deep expertise in US federal government contracting and DoD operations.
  • Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS and government procurement regulations.
  • Experience with data privacy, AI governance, and IP matters in SaaS.
  • Proven strategic advisor to senior leadership with practical decision-making skills.
  • Ability to clarify complex legal issues for non-legal audiences.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as primary legal advisor to the CEO and the executive team on corporate and regulatory matters.
  • Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts including SaaS and government contracts.
  • Support governance, equity administration, and board operations.
  • Lead legal due diligence and strategic transaction support.
  • Provide expert counsel on federal and state procurement and compliance requirements.
  • Navigate regulatory frameworks for AI and privacy across various jurisdictions.
  • Protect and manage the company's IP portfolio, ensuring compliance with privacy laws.

Benefits

  • Impactful work with a mission-driven focus.
  • Collaborative work environment promoting teamwork.
  • Flexible work-life balance arrangements.
  • Unlimited paid time off for personal wellness.
  • Stock options as part of the compensation package.
  • Comprehensive health and wellness coverage.
Full Job Description
* Hybrid

* Full-time with benefits

What you will do

You will be a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive team, providing comprehensive legal guidance across all aspects of the business with a particular focus on US federal civil and defense and state government and preparing for further global expansion.

Responsibilities

Corporate & Commercial Legal
  • Serve as the primary legal advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and executive leadership team on all corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters.
  • Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of contracts including enterprise SaaS agreements, government contracts, NDAs, vendor agreements, and partnership arrangements.
  • Support corporate governance, equity administration, investor relations and board operations.
  • Lead legal due diligence and support strategic transactions.

Government & Regulatory
  • Provide expert legal counsel on US federal and state procurement, contracting, and compliance requirements, including FAR/DFARS regulations.
  • Navigate regulatory frameworks relevant to AI, voice analytics, biometric data, and privacy across US federal and state jurisdictions, as well as international markets.
  • Advise on export controls, data security requirements (including FedRAMP, CMMC, and other applicable standards), and government security and clearance obligations.
  • Build and maintain relationships with key government and agency stakeholders, and serve as a legal point of contact for US public sector clients and partners.

Intellectual Property & Data Privacy
  • Protect and grow Clearspeed's IP portfolio, including patents, trademarks, and trade secrets related to our proprietary technology.
  • Develop and maintain a robust privacy and data protection program compliant with applicable laws (GDPR, EU-AI Act, CCPA, and relevant US federal privacy standards).
  • Advise on the ethical and legal dimensions of AI-enabled technology, particularly as they relate to bias, fairness, and responsible use.

Risk & Compliance
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risk across all business operations.
  • Establish scalable legal policies, processes, and internal controls as the company grows.
  • Manage outside counsel relationships and legal spend effectively.
  • Support HR and operations on employment law matters across US, EU, and Canadian jurisdictions.

Who you are

You are a seasoned legal leader who thrives at the intersection of technology, national security, and innovation. You bring both sharp legal judgment and strong business instinct, enabling you to move beyond issue-spotting into practical, high-impact decision-making. Colleagues trust you not just for your expertise, but for your ability to partner, influence, and lead across functions. Above all, you are motivated by mission and impact. You care about the broader implications of your work and are energized by supporting technologies and organizations that operate in high-stakes, globally relevant domains.

Requirements

  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing.
  • 20+ years of legal experience, with significant time spent in-house at a technology company and/or in private practice advising technology or government contracting clients.
  • Deep expertise in US federal government contracting, including direct experience with DoD, intelligence community, or civilian federal agencies.
  • Strong working knowledge of FAR/DFARS, government procurement regulations, and the legal landscape for dual-use technology.
  • Experience with data privacy, AI governance, and IP matters in a technology or SaaS environment.
  • A proven track record of operating as a trusted strategic advisor to senior leadership, not just a legal reviewer.
  • Ability to translate complex legal and regulatory issues into clear, actionable guidance for non-legal audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, build legal infrastructure from scratch, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
  • Experience supporting Series B-D stage companies through growth and financing events preferred.
  • Familiarity with international legal considerations across the UK, Canada, and EMEA markets preferred.
  • Active security clearance or prior experience working in or closely with the US national security community preferred.

Why join us?

*Impactful work

*Collaborative environment

*Work-life balance

Our benefits (may vary based on geographical location)

*Competitive compensation: salary + performance-based bonuses

*Stock options

*Unlimited paid time off

*Health and wellness coverage

Join us at Clearspeed and be a part of our success story. Together, we can make a difference!

Salary

Salary range is based on national benchmark data of comparable roles, skills and experience level. Exact compensation will be based on individual skills and experience, and location which will be assessed during the interview process.

Salary Description

Salary range: $225,000 - $320,000 per year

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