Role Overview for Chief Legal Officer with a Public Software Company – San Jose, CA
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, publicly-traded software company based in the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose, CA. We are conducting an executive search for a strategic, business-oriented Chief Legal Officer (CLO) to join their executive leadership team. This is a rare opportunity to shape the legal and strategic direction of a dynamic and innovative organization that is a leader in its market segment. The CLO will serve as a key advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors, and the senior management team, providing expert counsel on a wide range of legal, corporate governance, and business matters.
The ideal candidate is more than just a lawyer; they are a strategic business partner who can navigate the complex legal landscape of a global public software company. You will be responsible for leading the company’s global legal strategy, managing all legal functions, and mitigating risk while enabling business growth and innovation. This role demands a leader with exceptional judgment, strong business acumen, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
You will be instrumental in guiding the company through its next phase of growth, overseeing critical areas such as securities law, corporate governance, intellectual property, commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and global compliance. This executive will be tasked with building, mentoring, and leading a world-class legal team, fostering a culture of integrity, collaboration, and high performance. Your leadership will ensure that the company maintains the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct while pursuing its ambitious strategic objectives.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Legal Officer with a Public Software Company – San Jose, CA
The Chief Legal Officer will have a broad and impactful portfolio of responsibilities, acting as the primary legal advisor for the entire organization. Key duties include:
Corporate Governance & Securities Law
- Serving as the Corporate Secretary, providing counsel to the Board of Directors and its committees on all corporate governance matters.
- Ensuring compliance with all applicable securities laws and regulations, including the rules of the SEC and NASDAQ/NYSE.
- Overseeing the preparation and filing of all public disclosures and reports, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, proxy statements, and Section 16 filings. A deep familiarity with the SEC’s EDGAR database and its requirements is essential.
- Managing the company’s insider trading policy, equity administration, and shareholder engagement programs.
- Developing and maintaining corporate governance policies and procedures to ensure best practices.
Commercial & Technology Transactions
- Leading the legal team in structuring, drafting, and negotiating a wide variety of complex commercial agreements, including SaaS subscription agreements, enterprise license agreements, partnership and alliance agreements, and reseller contracts.
- Providing legal support for global sales, marketing, and business development teams to drive revenue while managing risk.
- Overseeing the legal aspects of data privacy and security, ensuring compliance with global regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and others.
- Advising on legal issues related to new product development and market entry strategies.
Intellectual Property Strategy
- Developing and executing a comprehensive global intellectual property strategy to protect the company’s innovations and competitive advantages.
- Managing the company’s portfolio of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
- Overseeing IP litigation and enforcement actions, and advising on IP-related aspects of M&A and commercial transactions.
Litigation & Risk Management
- Managing and overseeing all litigation, disputes, and regulatory investigations involving the company.
- Selecting and managing outside counsel effectively to achieve strategic objectives while controlling costs.
- Developing and implementing a proactive enterprise risk management (ERM) program to identify, assess, and mitigate legal and business risks across the organization.
Compliance, Ethics & Employment
- Designing, implementing, and managing a robust global compliance and ethics program, including policies and training on topics such as anti-bribery (FCPA), antitrust, and export controls.
- Advising the Human Resources department on a full range of employment law issues, including hiring, performance management, compensation and benefits, and employee relations.
- Overseeing internal investigations and ensuring a culture of integrity and ethical conduct.
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
- Playing a key leadership role in all M&A activities, from strategic evaluation and due diligence through negotiation, closing, and post-merger integration.
- Providing critical legal and strategic advice to the executive team and Board on potential transactions.
Requirements for the Chief Legal Officer with a Public Software Company – San Jose, CA
We are seeking a highly accomplished legal executive with a proven track record of success in a similar environment. The specific qualifications include:
Education
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a top-tier, ABA-accredited law school.
Bar Admission
Must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of California, or otherwise eligible to register as In-House Counsel in California.
Experience
A minimum of 15-20 years of progressive legal experience, combining a foundation at a major law firm with significant in-house leadership experience at a publicly-traded technology or software company.
Public Company Expertise
Demonstrable, hands-on experience as a General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel of a public company is required. Deep expertise in securities law, corporate finance, and SEC reporting is non-negotiable.
Industry Knowledge
Extensive experience navigating the legal complexities of the software/SaaS industry, including intellectual property, data privacy, and complex commercial transactions.
Leadership Skills
Proven ability to lead, manage, and mentor a global legal team. A track record of being a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors.
Business Acumen
Strong financial literacy and a pragmatic, business-oriented approach to problem-solving. The ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, actionable business advice.
Communication
Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. The ability to influence and build consensus across all levels of the organization.
Integrity
Unquestionable ethics, integrity, and sound judgment.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier executive talent and offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package, including:
Executive Compensation
A competitive base salary and a significant annual performance-based bonus.
Equity Incentives
A substantial new-hire equity grant (RSUs and/or stock options) and eligibility for ongoing equity awards, providing a significant long-term wealth creation opportunity.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents, along with generous wellness stipends and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Retirement Savings
A 401(k) retirement plan with a strong company matching contribution.
Time Off
A generous and flexible paid time off (PTO) policy, in addition to company-paid holidays.
Professional Development
A dedicated budget for continuing legal education (CLE), professional association memberships, and executive coaching.
Relocation
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the ideal candidate.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is managing this exclusive search. To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and interest in the role. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply promptly. You can learn more about our specialized recruitment services by visiting JRG Partners’ Legal Executive Search practice. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company and our clients. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
