Graduate Legal Counsel - Tech Sector

Canonical; Atlanta (GA); Remote; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking a Graduate Legal Counsel to join their expanding legal team. This role offers the chance to work on exciting transactional matters in technology and enterprise software, providing legal support to diverse teams. Ideal candidates will possess a strong academic background, a proactive attitude, and excellent communication skills. With a focus on personal development, the company provides a distributed work environment, generous learning budgets, and comprehensive benefits. This is an exceptional opportunity to grow within a pioneering organization that values diversity and innovation.

Benefits

USD 2,000 annual learning and development budget

Annual compensation review

Performance bonuses

Comprehensive benefits

Parental leave

Wellness programs

Travel opportunities

Qualifications

• Excellent academic record and drive to improve processes.
• Active or progressing towards legal practice license.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts globally.
• Providing legal support to internal teams, including sales.

Skills

Commercial Judgment

Organizational Skills

Teamwork

Communication Skills

Proactive Attitude

Education

Law Degree (JD or equivalent)

High School Diploma

Job description

Join to apply for the Graduate Legal Counsel - Tech Sector role at Canonical.

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is widely used in enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our customers include leading public cloud and silicon providers, as well as industry leaders across sectors. The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing, with a distributed team of over 1200 colleagues in 75+ countries.

We are expanding our in-house legal team and seeking an exceptional recent graduate as a junior Legal Advisor or Legal Counsel. The role involves working on transactional matters in technology and enterprise software, including contracts related to global employment, contracting, and partnerships. We prioritize ability over experience; candidates should have a relevant degree and demonstrate academic achievement and social engagement. You will work closely with our legal team and colleagues worldwide.

Candidates should demonstrate good commercial judgment, be organized, efficient, and capable of providing high-quality legal and commercial advice. We seek individuals with a rigorous work ethic, attention to detail, conscientiousness, and a drive to improve processes.

Location

This role is home-based in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or the Americas, with an option to work from our London office.

Responsibilities include:

1. Reporting to our global general counsel.
2. Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts globally.
3. Providing legal support to internal teams, including sales.
4. Collaborating with cross-functional teams on company initiatives.
5. Managing contract data using Canonical's system.
6. Working with local counsel in various countries.

Ideal candidates will have:

• An excellent academic record from high school and university.
• A law degree (JD or equivalent) and active or progressing towards legal practice license.
• Drive, a strong work ethic, and a proactive attitude.
• Organizational skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Effective teamwork and communication skills in English.
• Passion for technology and personal initiatives.
• Politeness, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Experience in commercial transactions, IP, or corporate law.
• Leadership skills and influence.
• Knowledge of open source software community and values.
• Understanding of the tech industry.
• Experience in in-house legal teams or law firms.

What we offer:

• A distributed work environment with biannual in-person team sprints.
• USD 2,000 annual learning and development budget.
• Annual compensation review and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive benefits, including leave, parental leave, wellness programs, and travel opportunities.

About Canonical

Canonical is a pioneering open source tech company, publisher of Ubuntu, and a key player in AI, IoT, and cloud platforms. We hire globally, value excellence, and foster a remote work culture. Join us to challenge yourself, learn new skills, and innovate.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.