Outside Business Counsel

SUTTER LAW, P.C.; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Sutter Law, P.C. in the East Bay is seeking an experienced attorney to join as Outside Business Counsel. You’ll work directly with founders and executives, guiding contracts, corporate matters, and financings.

The role emphasizes practical, business-minded advice with normal hours and a hybrid schedule: four days in the East Bay office and one remote day, with flexibility for the right candidate. You will be the primary legal contact for clients, balancing sophisticated work with a sustainable

Qualifications

• California licensed attorney.
• Minimum 3 years of corporate, transactional, or outside counsel experience.
• Strong drafting, writing, and proofreading skills; excellent negotiation.
• Strong business judgment and ability to work directly with clients.
• Organized, responsive, and able to manage matters independently.

Responsibilities

• Serve as outside business counsel to startups and growing companies.
• Advise founders and executives on day-to-day corporate matters.
• Draft and negotiate commercial contracts, SaaS agreements, licenses, NDAs, and other business agreements.
• Advise on corporate governance, equity, restructurings, and general corporate matters.
• Assist with SAFEs, convertible notes, seed, and venture financings.
• Support M&A and other strategic transactions.
• Identify legal and business risks and provide practical solutions.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Client communication

Business judgment

Independent work

Job description

Sutter Law, a boutique business and transactional law firm based in the East Bay, is looking for an experienced attorney to join our team as Outside Business Counsel.

We work closely with startups, growth companies, founders, and executives, serving as trusted outside counsel on the legal issues that arise as businesses grow and evolve.

About the Role

We’re looking for a smart, practical attorney who enjoys working directly with clients and providing business‑minded legal advice. You will serve as a primary legal contact for clients, helping them navigate contracts, corporate matters, financings, transactions, and day‑to‑day legal issues.

We are not a late-night, burn‑the‑midnight‑oil firm. We respect normal working hours and want our attorneys to enjoy practicing law while having a life outside of work.

Our team generally works four days per week in our East Bay office and one day remotely. For an experienced candidate who can independently manage clients and matters, we are open to a hybrid arrangement.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Serving as outside business counsel to startups and growing companies
• Advising founders and executives on day‑to‑day corporate and business matters
• Drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, SaaS agreements, licenses, NDAs, and other business agreements
• Advising on corporate governance, equity, restructurings, and general corporate matters
• Assisting with SAFE, convertible note, seed, and venture financings
• Supporting M&A and other strategic transactions
• Identifying legal and business risks and providing practical solutions

What We’re Looking For

• California licensed attorney
• At least 3 years of relevant corporate, transactional, or outside counsel experience
• Strong contract drafting, negotiation, writing, and proofreading skills
• Strong business judgment and ability to work directly with clients
• Organized, responsive, and comfortable independently managing matters
• Ability to track time and meet deadlines without micromanagement
• A book of business is a plus, but not required

Why Work With Us

• Sophisticated business and transactional work without BigLaw hours
• Direct relationships with founders, executives, and growing companies
• Independence with support from an experienced team
• Four days in the office and one remote day, with hybrid flexibility for the right experienced candidate
• Highly competitive and negotiable compensation
• If you’re an experienced business attorney who enjoys becoming a trusted advisor to clients and wants sophisticated work with a sustainable schedule, we’d love to hear from you.