Legal Counsel - US

Arqfinance; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options bonus

Discretionary performance bonus (stock

Paid annual leave

Latest technology to work with

Job summary

ARQ seeks a US Legal Counsel based in New York to lead corporate governance, commercial contracts, financing matters, and cross-border compliance for US entities. You will shape governance across holding, hiring/services, and infra entities, ensuring solid legal operations and scalable processes within a fast-growing fintech.

You will collaborate with a world-class team and navigate complex U.S. and LatAm dynamics, requiring a JD, active bar admission, and strong communication in English.

Qualifications

• 3-4 years of experience as a law firm associate with exposure to corporate, commercial or employment law.
• Strong understanding of US corporate structure, venture financing, and credit lines.
• Experience working with or strong cultural understanding of LatAm cross-border dynamics.
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active state bar admission in good standing.
• Proactive mindset with the ability to manage complex legal tasks across multiple entity types independently.
• Excellent verbal/written communication in English; Spanish/Portuguese a plus.
• Project management skills with the ability to manage conflicting priorities and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage US Corporate & Entity Structure: oversee governance, maintenance, and compliance across US entities (holding, hiring/services, infra service).
• Lead US Corporate & Financing Matters: draft, negotiate, and manage corporate transactions, financing agreements, equity matters, and credit lines.
• Handle Commercial & Employment Contracts: structure and negotiate US commercial partnerships, vendor contracts, and employment/service provider agreements.
• You will get things done: beyond scope of work and priorities, the Operations function drives execution to win.

Skills

Corporate law exposure

Commercial law

Cross-border experience

US law understanding

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

We are building the financial system for the next century. One where control sits in the hands of customers — not banks. Where money moves on rails that are faster, smarter, and radically more efficient. Where wealth management tools help you grow your savings for decades — and build generational wealth. Where fewer intermediaries mean more value stays where it belongs: in our customers’ pockets.

We operate with long-term ambition and absolute conviction. We are not here to iterate on the past — we are here to redesign it. This is a defining moment to join us.

We are building what we believe will become one of the most important financial institutions in the world. That requires exceptional talent, relentless standards, and people who care deeply about the work. At ARQ, we are turning the financial system upside down — starting in the Americas. We are nimble, but ambitious. We move fast, learn fast, and innovate relentlessly. Technology is our greatest ally, and execution is our edge. We build as a team. We think long term. We aim for world-class in everything we do. If you are exceptional at what you do — and ready to help redefine finance — we’d love to meet you. Are you ready to build what comes next?

About the team

We believe that small teams of exceptional people outcompete massive companies with mediocre talent. That’s why we have assembled a group of people who have done it before at iconic companies like Revolut, Apple, Uber, Amazon, and Block. We’ve owned some of the most loved and profitable products in the world, delivered transaction platforms operating at massive scale, created beautiful mobile applications — and built things that have changed the lives of millions of people.

We don’t believe in 9-to-5 and we don’t believe in work-life balance as most companies sell it. We believe building the largest financial institution in the world takes long hours, every day, for years — and we like it that way. If you don’t, don’t apply.

To reshape the global financial system, we’ve raised capital from some of the world’s best investors: Sequoia Capital, Founders Fund, Brevan Howard Digital, Y Combinator, and Kaszek Ventures.

Legal Counsel - US

Location

New York

Employment Type

Full time

Location Type

Hybrid

Department

Legal & Compliance

About ARQ

ARQ is one of the fastest-growing fintechs in the world. Our mission is to redefine how people interact with money across borders, building the infrastructure to move value seamlessly. We're still early in our journey, which means every person who joins shapes the future of our product, culture, and growth. If you're excited by big challenges, global impact, and the chance to grow fast with a world-class team, ARQ is the place to do it.

The Role

As US Legal Counsel, this is your opportunity to play a pivotal role in helping us on our mission. The mission of the role is to lead corporate and commercial legal matters across our US entities (including holding, hiring/services,infrastructure entities and more). You will focus on US corporate governance, commercial contracts, financing, and credit lines, while ensuring full compliance and alignment across our US operations.

What you'll be doing

Manage US Corporate & Entity Structure: oversee legal governance, corporate maintenance, and compliance across US entities (holding, hiring/services, infra service).

Lead US Corporate & Financing Matters: draft, negotiate, and manage corporate transactions, financing agreements, equity matters, and credit lines.

Handle Commercial & Employment Contracts: structure and negotiate US commercial partnerships, vendor contracts, and employment/service provider agreements.

You will get things done: beyond scope of work and priorities, it is in the DNA of our Operations function to do whatever it takes to win

What you'll need

3-4 years of experience as a law firm associate with exposure to corporate, commercial or employment law

Strong understanding of US corporate structure, venture financing, and credit lines

Experience working with or strong cultural understanding of LatAm cross-border dynamics

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active state bar admission in good standing

Proactive mindset with the ability to manage complex legal tasks across multiple entity types independently

Excellent verbal/written communication in English, other languages such as Spanish and or Portuguese is a plus

Project management skills: self-starter with the ability to work independently, manage conflicting priorities and successfully meet established project deadlines

Strong problem-solving skills: good judgement and ability to make sound decisions when navigating ambiguity

Nice-to-haves

• Experience advising high-growth fintechs or startups on cross-border US/LatAm transactions
• Sign-on stock options bonus, so you become part of the success of the company
• Discretionary performance bonus (stock options)
• Paid annual leave
• Latest technology to work with
• Strong team that will help you improve your skills