Corporate Counsel

Pantera Capital; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

Access to a 401(k) retirement plan

Short & long-term disability insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Pantera Capital is seeking a Corporate Counsel in Palo Alto. The role emphasizes leading M&A transactions, advising on securities, and maintaining corporate governance. Candidates should have a J.D. from an accredited law school and 5+ years of relevant experience. The position offers competitive annual compensation ranging from $220,000 to $260,000 USD along with equity and comprehensive benefits, fostering a dynamic in-person office culture.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Corporate or M&A at a top-tier national law firm.
• Active CA bar membership required.
• Expertise in domestic/cross-border M&A, diligence, and negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Lead M&A and strategic transactions, including diligence and deal structuring.
• Provide securities counsel and support.
• Advise on equity compensation and corporate governance.

Skills

Corporate or M&A experience

Capital Markets and securities knowledge

Detail-oriented

Exceptional communication skills

Ability to prioritize

Passion for AI

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

ABOUT xAI

xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge.

Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity.

We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important.

All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Legal team partners with every function—from engineering and product to finance, operations, and our Colossus data centers powering next-gen models—to drive business velocity, protect IP, navigate AI regulations, and mitigate risks in a high-stakes landscape. We’re building the legal foundation for strategic partnerships, global expansion, and groundbreaking tech that billions will use.

xAI is seeking a business-savvy attorney to provide expert counsel on M&A, securities, and strategic transactions globally—from diligence and structuring to execution, integration, and beyond. As Corporate Counsel, you\'ll also handle corporate governance, equity matters, and subsidiary management.

We value the energy of our in-person office culture. This role is based on-site at our Palo Alto headquarters.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Help lead domestic and international M&A and strategic transactions (e.g., partnerships with major chip suppliers, data center deals, AI infra acquisitions), including diligence, deal structuring, drafting/negotiating agreements, and board materials
• Provide securities counsel and support, including SEC reporting (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K), disclosures, insider trading policies, and corporate governance
• Partner closely with corporate development, finance, engineering, and exec teams to build trusted relationships and execute a seamless, multi-functional deal process
• Drive post-closing integration, ensuring operational alignment and value capture
• Build scalable processes, templates, and playbooks for M&A and strategic deals to enable speed and efficiency at our scale
• Advise on equity compensation (award agreements, trading plans, cap table management), and corporate governance (board matters, minutes, consents)
• Oversee subsidiary maintenance, including formations, dissolutions, and compliance across US and international entities
• Provide counsel on general corporate matters, including commercial contracts for AI compute/infra, vendor deals, and tech partnerships
• Support emerging issues like AI safety/regulatory compliance, IP in models/data, and cross-functional risk mitigation
• Roll up sleeves for ad-hoc projects in our flat, high-velocity structure—thriving as a "force multiplier" in a startup-like environment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. from an accredited law school; active CA bar membership
• 5+ years in Corporate or M&A at a top-tier national law firm, with Capital Markets and securities experience a strong plus
• Deep expertise in domestic/cross-border M&A: diligence, structuring, negotiation—creative and pragmatic in complex, fast-moving deals
• Detail-oriented self-starter who excels in ambiguity, prioritizes ruthlessly, and delivers business-aligned advice without fluff
• Exceptional communicator/presenter: translates legalese to plain English for engineers, execs, and boards
• Flexible team player, eager for diverse projects in a scaling
• Passion for xAI\'s mission: bold thinking, rapid execution, and building truthful AI

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Annual Salary Range: $220,000 - $260,000 USD

Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at xAI, which also includes equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

xAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice.