Legal Counsel
HappyRobot· startup· Computer Software· Oct 22, 2026 · 6d ago
New York
Hybrid
Full-time
Senior
$143K–$183K est.
6+ years exp
Job description
ABOUT HAPPYROBOT
HappyRobot is the infrastructure for enterprises to build and orchestrate AI workforces. Our AI workers don't just communicate through voice and email - they make decisions, take action, and run operations autonomously across entire enterprise systems. Born in Y Combinator (S23) and backed by a16z, Base10, Prysm Capital and Eurazeo with over $200M raised, we power critical operations for global enterprises worldwide.
Our platform is battle-tested in the most demanding environments, where AI has real consequences. We started in logistics, built our own voice stack, models, and orchestration layer from the ground up, and are now bringing that infrastructure to every enterprise that runs the real economy. Learn more about our vision in our manifesto. happyrobot.ai
About the Role
We’re looking for a smart, practical, and business-oriented Legal Counsel to support our growing business with a focus on intellectual property and commercial agreements. This role will work cross-functionally with product, engineering, sales, partnerships, and operations teams to ensure our IP is protected and our commercial arrangements are sound, scalable, and aligned with our strategic goals.
Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including SaaS agreements, MSAs, enterprise agreements, licensing agreements, vendor agreements, reseller agreements, partnership agreements, Order Forms, DPAs, NDAs, and services agreements.
- Advise internal stakeholders on commercial, intellectual property, and data privacy matters related to product development, partnerships, customer relationships, and business operations.
- Review and negotiate data processing agreements (DPAs) and advise on compliance with US data privacy laws and regulations, including CCPA/CPRA and other applicable state privacy frameworks.
- Support the company’s intellectual property strategy, including trademark, copyright, patent, trade secret, and IP ownership matters.
- Assist with open-source software compliance, employee and contractor IP assignment matters, and IP diligence processes.
- Build, improve, and maintain legal templates, negotiation playbooks, internal policies, and scalable contracting workflows to increase operational efficiency.
- Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice that balances risk mitigation with commercial objectives and enables business growth.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments related to commercial law, intellectual property, SaaS businesses, and data privacy, and assess their impact on the company.
- Support fundraising, due diligence, and other strategic corporate initiatives as needed.
- Manage external counsel effectively when specialized legal support is required.
Requirements
- Admitted to and in good standing with the bar of at least one US state.
- 6+ years of relevant legal experience, ideally combining experience at a reputable law firm and an in-house legal team at a startup or high-growth technology company.
- Strong experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating SaaS agreements, MSAs, enterprise agreements, NDAs, DPAs, Order Forms and other commercial contracts.
- Solid understanding of US data privacy laws and regulations, including CCPA/CPRA and other state-specific privacy requirements.
- Experience handling intellectual property matters, including trademarks, patents, copyright, licensing, and IP ownership issues.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills with a pragmatic, solution-oriented, and risk-based approach.
- Strong commercial judgment and ability to balance legal risk with business priorities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and high contract volume efficiently in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
- Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and execution with attention to detail and urgency.
- Proven ability to work cross-functionally and build trusted relationships with business stakeholders.
Nice to Have
- Experience supporting fundraising transactions, due diligence exercises, and broader corporate legal matters.
- Familiarity with employment law and general corporate governance matters.
- Experience creating and implementing legal automation processes, templates, and operational workflows.
- Background in software, AI/ML, digital content, or other technology-driven industries.
WHY JOIN US?
- Join a world-class team of engineers and builders.
- Backed by top investors including a16z, Y Combinator, Base10, Prysm Capital and Eurazeo.
- Have ownership and autonomy of projects and are encouraged to ship.
- Comprehensive Benefits including healthcare, dental, vision coverage.
- Competitive salary + equity in a high-growth startup.
Our Operating Principles
Extreme Ownership
We take full responsibility for our work, outcomes, and team success. No excuses, no blame-shifting — if something needs fixing, we own it and make it better. This means stepping up, even when it’s not “your job.” If a ball is dropped, we pick it up. If a customer is unhappy, we fix it. If a process is broken, we redesign it. We don’t wait for someone else to solve it — we lead with accountability and expect the same from those around us.
Craftsmanship
Putting care and intention into every task, striving for excellence, and taking deep ownership of the quality and outcome of your work. Craftsmanship means never settling for “just fine.” We sweat the details because details compound. Whether it’s a product feature, an internal doc, or a sales call — we treat it as a reflection of our standards. We aim to deliver jaw-dropping customer experiences by being curious, meticulous, and proud of what we build — even when nobody’s watching.
We are “majos”
Be friendly & have fun with your coworkers. Always be genuine & honest, but kind. “Majo” is our way of saying: be a good human. Be approachable, helpful, and warm. We’re building something ambitious, and it’s easier (and more fun) when we enjoy the ride together. We give feedback with kindness, challenge each other with respect, and celebrate wins together without ego.
Urgency with Focus
Create the highest impact in the shortest amount of time. Move fast, but in the right direction. We operate with speed because time is our most limited resource. But speed without focus is chaos. We prioritize ruthlessly, act decisively, and stay aligned. We aim for high leverage: the biggest results from the simplest, smartest actions. We’re running a high-speed marathon — not a sprint with no strategy.
Talent Density and Meritocracy
Hire only people who can raise the average; ‘exceptional performance is the passing grade.’ Ability trumps seniority. We believe the best teams are built on talent density — every hire should raise the bar. We reward contribution, not titles or tenure. We give ownership to those who earn it, and we all hold each other to a high standard. A-players want to work with other A-players — that’s how we win.
First-Principles Thinking
Strip a problem to physics-level facts, ignore industry dogma, rebuild the solution from scratch. We don’t copy-paste solutions. We go back to basics, ask why things are the way they are, and rebuild from the ground up if needed. This mindset pushes us to innovate, challenge stale assumptions, and move faster than incumbents. It’s how we build what others think is impossible.
The personal data provided in your application and during the selection process will be processed by Happyrobot, Inc., acting as Data Controller.
By sending us your CV, you consent to the processing of your personal data for the purpose of evaluating and selecting you as a candidate for the position. Your personal data will be treated confidentially and will only be used for the recruitment process of the selected job offer.
In relation to the period of conservation of your personal data, these will be eliminated after three months of inactivity in compliance with the GDPR and legislation on the protection of personal data.
If you wish to exercise your rights of access, rectification, deletion, portability or opposition in relation to your personal data, you can do so through security@happyrobot.ai subject to the GDPR.
For more information, visit happyrobot.ai happyrobot.ai
By submitting your request, you confirm that you have read and understood this clause and that you agree to the processing of your personal data as described.
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Keywords to mirror
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Dental
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