Role Overview for Chief Legal Officer with a Growing Tech Company – Austin, TX
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a rapidly scaling, venture-backed technology company at the forefront of innovation. Located in the vibrant tech hub of Austin, TX, our client is disrupting its industry with a groundbreaking platform and is poised for exponential growth. We are seeking a strategic, business-minded, and experienced Chief Legal Officer (CLO) to join their executive team. This is a rare opportunity to build a world-class legal function from the ground up and play a pivotal role in the company’s trajectory towards market leadership, future funding rounds, and a potential public offering.
As the Chief Legal Officer, you will be more than just the company’s top lawyer; you will be a trusted advisor to the CEO, the board of directors, and the entire senior leadership team. You will provide strategic legal counsel on a vast array of critical business issues, from corporate governance and intellectual property strategy to commercial transactions and global regulatory compliance.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned legal professional with a deep understanding of the technology sector, a pragmatic approach to problem-solving, and a passion for navigating the complex challenges of a high-growth environment. You will be responsible for creating a legal framework that not only mitigates risk but also serves as a strategic enabler for business innovation and expansion. This role requires a leader who can balance legal precision with commercial acumen, build and mentor a high-performing team, and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced culture.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Legal Officer with a Growing Tech Company – Austin, TX
The Chief Legal Officer will have a broad range of responsibilities, acting as a key cross-functional leader within the organization. Your duties will include, but are not limited to:
Strategic Legal Counsel
Serve as the primary legal advisor to the CEO, executive team, and Board of Directors on all legal, regulatory, and compliance matters. Provide proactive, forward-thinking legal guidance on business strategies and their implementation.
Corporate Governance and Securities
Manage all corporate governance matters, including board and committee meeting preparation, minutes, and corporate records. Ensure compliance with all applicable corporate and securities laws, and lead legal efforts related to corporate financing, M&A, and potential IPO readiness.
Commercial Transactions
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of complex commercial agreements, including SaaS contracts, master service agreements (MSAs), licensing agreements, partnership and reseller agreements, and vendor contracts. Develop and standardize contracting processes to improve efficiency and mitigate risk.
Intellectual Property Strategy
Develop and execute a comprehensive global intellectual property strategy to protect the company’s innovations. Oversee the management of the company’s patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret portfolio. Advise product and engineering teams on IP-related issues.
Regulatory and Compliance
Build and maintain a robust compliance program to ensure the company adheres to all applicable domestic and international laws and regulations. This includes a strong focus on navigating complex data privacy regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, and other emerging privacy frameworks.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Manage and oversee all litigation, claims, and disputes. Develop strategies to effectively and efficiently resolve legal conflicts while protecting the company’s interests. Select and manage outside counsel as needed.
Labor and Employment
Partner with the Human Resources department to provide counsel on a full range of employment law issues, including hiring, performance management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and terminations. Develop and implement company policies and procedures.
Risk Management
Proactively identify, evaluate, and mitigate legal and business risks across the organization. Implement risk management policies and procedures, including managing the company’s insurance programs.
Team Leadership
Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing in-house legal team. Foster a culture of collaboration, business partnership, and professional growth. Manage the legal department’s budget and resources effectively.
Requirements for the Chief Legal Officer with a Growing Tech Company – Austin, TX
We are seeking a candidate with a proven track record of legal excellence and executive leadership. The qualifications and skills required for this role are:
Education and Bar Admission
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a top-tier, ABA-accredited law school. Must be an active member in good standing of at least one U.S. State Bar, with a preference for the Texas Bar or the ability to become licensed in Texas.
Professional Experience
A minimum of 15+ years of relevant legal experience, including a combination of training at a nationally recognized law firm and significant in-house experience. At least 5-7 years in a senior legal leadership role (e.g., General Counsel, Deputy GC) within a high-growth technology company is essential.
Corporate and Transactional Expertise
Extensive experience with corporate law, corporate governance, M&A, venture capital financing, and IPO readiness.
Technology Sector Acumen
Deep expertise in legal issues pertinent to the tech industry, including SaaS, intellectual property, and data privacy. A strong understanding of the competitive landscape and business models is crucial.
Leadership and Management Skills
Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and mentor a legal team. Proven success as a key member of a senior executive team, with the ability to influence and drive strategic initiatives.
Business Acumen
A strong business-oriented approach to problem-solving. The ability to understand business objectives, identify and weigh risks, and provide practical, actionable legal advice.
Communication Skills
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. The ability to distill complex legal concepts into clear, concise advice for a non-legal audience.
Integrity and Professionalism
Unquestionable personal integrity, ethics, and sound judgment. A high degree of professional accountability and a commitment to excellence.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top talent by offering a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package. This includes:
Competitive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary, annual performance-based bonus, and long-term incentives.
Meaningful Equity
A significant equity stake in the company, providing a substantial opportunity for wealth creation as the company grows and succeeds.
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Premium-level health, dental, and vision insurance for you and your eligible dependents, with a significant portion of the premiums covered by the company.
Retirement Savings
A 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match to help you plan for your future.
Generous Time Off
A flexible and generous paid time off (PTO) policy, in addition to company-paid holidays, to support a healthy work-life balance.
Professional Development
A dedicated budget for continuing legal education (CLE), professional memberships, and industry conferences to support your career growth.
Work Environment
A collaborative, innovative, and mission-driven work culture in a modern office space located in the heart of Austin, TX.
Relocation Support
Relocation assistance is available for exceptional candidates.
How to Apply
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained for this critical search. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. If you are a visionary legal leader who is ready to make a significant impact on a category-defining tech company, we want to hear from you.
To be considered for this opportunity, please submit your resume and a compelling cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the role. Applications can be submitted directly through our Legal & Compliance practice area page. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the strictest confidence.
