Senior Legal Counsel

As stewards of the Polkadot and Substrate ecosystem, Parity is laying the foundation for a better web which respects the freedom and data of individuals and empowers developers to create better services through decentralised technology. The internet is too important to billions of people for it to be at the mercy of a few powerful companies. 

With a remote-first, global team, Parity is building open-source technologies for developers and organisations to implement and build upon. Our Web3 tech stack includes Polkadot, Substrate, and Kusama.

We believe in a decentralised web that respects the freedom and data of individuals and empowers developers to create better services. Our vision is to create a world based on truthful, rather than trustful, interactions. Our mission is to make Polkadot the most active and innovative community in blockchain.

About the team:

The legal team advises and supports Parity across all of the business. We are a fun hardworking team of 3 lawyers, 1 Trainee Solicitor and a Legal & Finance associate headed up by the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Operating Officer (Interim) (Chrissy Hill). The work of the team is varied and challenging supporting a fast moving business which is growing rapidly.

About the position:

Reporting to the Director of Legal, the Senior Legal Counsel provides proactive legal support to all area of the business  and is responsible for the following:

• Facilitating optimal corporate organisation and ensuring compliance in corporate governance
• Reviewing, drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and other legal agreements across the business
• Leading the development and management of Parity’s IP strategy  liaising with internal stakeholders and external legal counsel
• Managing any commercial litigation in conjunction with external counsel
• Horizon scanning the  legal/regulatory environment in relation to the blockchain space
• Ad hoc projects as required according to business need
• Supervising the work of the Trainee Solicitor and Legal & Finance Associate

About you:

• You are 5 years plus PQE commercial lawyer with a minimum of 4 years in house experience working in an international environment
• You are commercially aware with in depth in house legal experience, preferably within a technological environment (desirable but not essential)
• Specific areas of knowledge and experience that would be welcome:
• Software licensing (particularly open source) and drafting and negotiating commercial software agreements;
• Privacy and data protection; and
• Corporate law.
• You enjoy and have experience of working proactively across a range of matters and projects in a fast paced and unstructured environment
• You have excellent communication skills and have experience of developing effective working relationships at  senior levels across all functions
• You enjoy working  in an agile manner in a small team and have  a good sense of humour

About working for us:

For everyone who joins us:

• Competitive remuneration packages, including performance based bonus lead tokens (where legally possible)
• Remote-first, global working environment with flexible hours
• Collaborative, fast-paced, and self-initiating culture, designed to mimic an open source workflow
• Energising and collaborative team and company retreats all over the world
• Opportunity to learn more about Web3 while on the job, with access to some of the brightest minds in this space; we have plenty of educational initiatives such as internal sessions, all-hands, AMAs, hackathons, etc.
• Teammates who are genuinely excited about their job, impact, and Parity’s mission

For those joining us as employees in Germany or the U.K.:

• 28 paid vacation days per year
• Work laptop (macOS or Linux-based) and equipment to enable you to work successfully

Not a perfect match to our requirements? We're still excited to receive your application and hear how you think you can help us achieve our mission.

To see how we use your data please see our Applicant Notice.