Commercial Counsel

Clera; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Clera is seeking a founding Commercial Counsel to lead commercial contracting for startup clients. You will provide practical legal advice while shaping how commercial services are delivered through software and repeatable workflows.

You will draft, review, and negotiate MSAs, SaaS contracts, NDAs, DPAs, and vendor agreements; advise founders and in-house teams via calls and Slack; build templates and AI-enabled workflows; and help grow the commercial practice and product development.

Qualifications

• JD and active US bar; CA or NY admission preferred.
• 4–5 years commercial contracts; 5–8 years preferred.
• In-house startup/tech company experience.
• Hands-on drafting, negotiating, and building templates for SaaS, MSAs, NDAs, DPAs, and vendor deals.
• Strong knowledge of SaaS/tech contract terms; liability caps, indemnity, IP, data, termination.
• Ability to explain legal tradeoffs in plain language to founders.
• Experience using AI tools in legal practice and codifying judgment into workflows.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including MSAs, SaaS contracts, NDAs, DPAs, and vendor agreements.
• Advise founders and in-house teams through calls and Slack, offering practical risk-calibrated guidance.
• Manage client relationships, meet turnaround commitments, and serve as a trusted commercial counsel.
• Turn negotiation positions, fallback terms, and review standards into playbooks and AI-enabled workflows.
• Help develop the commercial practice, onboard future attorneys, and contribute to product development.

Skills

Commercial contracts experience

Bar admission (US)

In-house startup/tech experience

SaaS/MSA/NDAs/DPAs/vendor contracts

AI tools in legal practice

Slack communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission (US jurisdiction)

Tools

SaaS contract templates

AI-enabled workflow tools

Job description

About the RoleA venture-backed legal technology company is hiring a founding Commercial Counsel to lead commercial contracting for startup clients. You will provide practical legal advice while helping shape how commercial legal services are delivered through software and repeatable workflows.

What You'll Do

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including MSAs, SaaS contracts, NDAs, DPAs, and vendor agreements
• Advise founders and in-house teams through calls and Slack, offering practical, risk-calibrated guidance
• Manage client relationships, meet turnaround commitments, and serve as a trusted commercial counsel
• Turn negotiation positions, fallback terms, and review standards into playbooks and AI-enabled workflows
• Help develop the commercial practice, onboard future attorneys, and contribute to product development

What We're Looking For

• At least 4 to 5 years of commercial contracts experience, with 5 to 8 years preferred.
• A JD and active bar membership in a US jurisdiction. California or New York admission is preferred.
• In-house commercial counsel experience at a startup or technology company.
• Hands-on experience drafting, negotiating, and building templates for SaaS agreements, MSAs, NDAs, DPAs, and vendor deals.
• Strong knowledge of SaaS and technology contract terms, including liability caps, indemnity, intellectual property, data, and termination.
• Sound business judgment and the ability to explain legal tradeoffs in plain language while working directly with founders.
• Experience using AI tools in legal practice and interest in codifying legal judgment into workflows. The role includes substantial platform and workflow development.
• Comfort using Slack for client communication.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $170,000 to $220,000 annually.
• Visa sponsorship is not available. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Location

• Remote within the United States.
• Primary location: San Francisco, California.