Deputy General Counsel

Variant • New York City, NY

11d • Onsite

About The Position

Variant is a first-check venture firm dedicated to backing true value-creating projects in crypto. We were early investors in Uniswap, Morpho, World, Phantom, Farcaster, and more. At Variant, we’re a small, focused team deeply embedded in the day-to-day operations of the projects we back. From strategy and product decisions to tokenomics and incentive design, we work side-by-side with founders as thought partners, helping them navigate the high-stakes early days of building something net-new. We are hiring a full-time Deputy General Counsel to help shape and execute the firm’s legal/regulatory work. Our goal is to empower entrepreneurs and unlock innovation by understanding legal/regulatory developments. The Deputy General Counsel will report to the Chief Legal Officer (CLO) and work from Variant’s New York, NY office.

Requirements

• A JD from an ABA-accredited law school and an active US law license in good standing.
• At least two years of relevant practical experience working at a law firm or in-house.
• A strong understanding of blockchain technology, the crypto industry and legal/regulatory landscape, and the substantive issues relevant to the firm’s priorities.
• Exceptional analytical and communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to research complex issues, distill them into clear insights, and write for a public audience.
• The mindset of an ambitious and creative self-starter with a passion for technological innovation and a desire to think, write, and operate with excellence and precision.

Responsibilities

• Leverage deep expertise in crypto legal and regulatory matters to assist the CLO in providing strategic value to founders.
• Collaborate with the investment team to utilize this expertise as a competitive advantage in winning deals.
• Externalize unique insights on legal and regulatory through persuasive writing targeted to founders (not lawyers).
• Support portfolio companies by providing insight on policy developments and guidance on commercial, regulatory, and government relations strategy.
• Advise the firm’s investment team on policy developments relevant to specific deals and market sectors of interest.
• Communicate with the public about the firm’s policy work to demonstrate our expertise and leadership on issues that matter to entrepreneurs.
• Advise the CLO and manage outside counsel on a variety of firm legal matters, including deal execution for investments, coordination of responses to regulatory inquiries and examinations, fund formation, and other general corporate matters.

Benefits

• You will work with some of the smartest people in the crypto industry, develop valuable skills and experience, and build an incredible network.
• You will have the autonomy and support that you need to operate at the highest level and take ownership of a lean, mighty, and impactful legal function.
• You will receive a competitive salary, benefits, and ownership interest in fund profits.
• We will invest in you: we will expect a lot from you, so you should expect a lot from us.
• Variant is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to building a diverse team and fostering an inclusive culture. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree