Legal Counselor

Scooter your way; Michigan; Remote; USD 60,000 - 120,000; Part time

Job summary

An early-stage startup is seeking a fractional Legal Counsel to guide them from pre-launch through initial funding and growth. The role involves advising on corporate governance, drafting commercial agreements, and ensuring compliance with legal standards. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in startup law, capable of providing strategic, business-oriented legal advice while maintaining confidentiality. The position requires flexibility in engagement and may include compensation structures like deferred fees or equity.

Qualifications

• Experienced in advising startups during formation and fundraising.
• Strong understanding of corporate and commercial law.
• Able to provide business-oriented legal guidance.
• Ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal guidance.
• High standards of discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Advise on governance, corporate structure, and compliance.
• Draft and negotiate partnerships and commercial agreements.
• Ensure proper IP ownership and protection.
• Support legal preparation for early hiring practices.
• Support investor readiness and funding preparations.
• Review SAFEs, term sheets, and related documents as needed.

Skills

Corporate governance and entity structuring

Strategic partnerships

Intellectual property law

Commercial agreements

Early-stage startup advising

Education

Licensed attorney in good standing in U.S.

Tools

SAFEs & term sheets

NDAs

Job description

We are an early-stage company preparing for launch this year. The business is currently pre-revenue and operating without outside funding. Our first strategic partnership has been confirmed and is now moving through launch preparation and execution.

At this stage, the company is building its legal, operational, and governance foundation ahead of initial revenue and a first institutional or strategic raise. This is an early environment where discretion, sound judgment, and practical legal guidance matter more than bureaucracy.

About the Role

We are seeking experienced Legal Counsel to support the company from pre-launch through initial funding and early growth. This role will act as a trusted legal advisor to the Founder, CEO & supporting matters including:

• Corporate governance and entity structuring
• Strategic partnerships and commercial agreements
• Intellectual property and data considerations
• Employment and contractor matters
• Fundraising and investor-readiness

This is not a full-time in-house role at this stage. We are seeking a fractional, contract, or retainer-based legal counsel with meaningful experience advising early-stage companies.

Compensation Transparency

The company currently has no revenue and no working capital. There is no upfront cash retainer available at this time. Compensation is expected to be structured creatively and transparently, potentially including deferred fees, a limited retainer once capital is secured, and/or a modest equity component, aligned with company needs and funding milestones.

This role is best suited for counsel who are comfortable advising early-stage companies during the gap between formation, first partnerships, and initial funding.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate & Governance

• Advise on company formation, governance, and corporate structure
• Support founder agreements, equity matters, and cap table readiness
• Ensure foundational legal compliance appropriate for an early-stage company

Partnerships & Commercial Agreements

• Draft, review, and negotiate partnership agreements
• Support execution of the company’s initial strategic partnership
• Advise on risk, obligations, and long-term implications of agreements

Intellectual Property & Confidentiality

• Ensure proper IP ownership, assignment, and protection
• Draft and review NDAs and confidentiality agreements

Employment & Contractor Matters

• Draft and review employment and independent contractor agreements
• Advise on classification, compliance, and early hiring practices
• Advise on investor readiness and legal preparation for funding
• Review or support SAFEs, term sheets, and related documents as needed

Qualifications

Required

• Licensed attorney in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
• Demonstrated experience advising early-stage startups from pre-launch or formation through fundraising
• Strong background in corporate, commercial, or startup law
• Ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal guidance
• High standards of discretion and professionalism

Preferred

• Experience working with founder-led companies
• Experience advising on early partnerships and go-to-market agreements
• Familiarity with startup fundraising structures and investor expectations

Engagement Structure

• Flexible engagement model (fractional, contract, or retainer-based)
• Ability to respond to time-sensitive matters during launch and partnership execution
• Compensation and scope to be determined based on experience and engagement structure

Confidentiality & Trust

This role will involve access to sensitive, pre-launch company information, strategic plans, and partnership details. Absolute discretion and adherence to confidentiality requirements are mandatory.

How to Express Interest

Please provide:

• A brief overview of your experience advising early-stage startups
• Your preferred engagement model (fractional, retainer, or contract)
• Availability and typical fee structure