Description:

Overview:
As General Counsel, you will be the trusted legal partner to our CEO, executive team, and board, shaping the legal strategy for a fintech innovator. You'll oversee all legal matters, from compliance with complex financial regulations to strategic partnerships, ensuring we operate with agility and integrity in a competitive market. This role requires a forward-thinking lawyer with deep fintech expertise and a passion for driving business success.

What You'll Do:

Provide expert legal advice on corporate governance, equity financing, and strategic transactions.
Ensure compliance with fintech regulations, including lending laws (e.g., TILA, ECOA), payment processing (e.g., PCI-DSS), and data privacy (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).
Draft and negotiate high-stakes contracts, including merchant agreements, payment processor partnerships, and technology licensing deals.
Mitigate risks in product launches, such as brokerage or trading platforms.
Advise on fundraising rounds, M&A, and potential IPO preparation, supporting our growth trajectory.
Build scalable legal frameworks for credit and lending products, ensuring alignment with federal and state regulations.
Lead cross-functional collaboration with product, risk, and compliance teams to embed legal considerations into innovative financial products.
Manage litigation, regulatory inquiries, and external counsel relationships with efficiency and precision.
Support international expansion, navigating cross-border payment and lending regulations.
Develop and mentor an in-house legal team to support our scaling operations.

Who You Are:

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing (preferably in California, New York, or another major U.S. jurisdiction).
10+ years of legal experience, with 5+ years in a senior in-house role at a fintech or high-growth tech company.
Deep expertise in credit and lending regulations, preferably in the fintech industry, with experience navigating laws like the Truth in Lending Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and state lending licenses.
Proven track record in structuring and negotiating complex commercial agreements in payments, lending, or brokerage.
Strong understanding of data privacy, cybersecurity, and consumer protection laws in a fintech context.
Exceptional ability to balance legal risk with business innovation in a fast-paced startup environment.
Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to distill complex legal issues for diverse stakeholders, from engineers to investors.
Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, hands-on approach to problem-solving.

Nice to Have:

Experience at a fintech company with exposure to payment processing, lending, or brokerage platforms.
Familiarity with venture capital financing, secondary offerings, or pre-IPO legal strategies.
Knowledge of international fintech regulations, particularly in payments or lending, to support global expansion.
Experience building and leading lean legal teams in high-growth environments.