General Counsel
Arc Institute•Palo Alto, CA
•$330,000 - $450,000•Onsite
About The Position
Arc Institute is seeking a General Counsel to serve as a strategic legal advisor and trusted peer to leadership. Reporting to Co-Founder and Executive Director, Silvana Konermann, the General Counsel will help identify and execute the legal pathways that enable Arc to pursue ambitious scientific and institutional goals. This role requires a commercially sharp, highly proactive lawyer with strong judgment, excellent instincts, and the ability to move complex matters forward with urgency and rigor.
Requirements
- JD and Active membership in the State Bar of California, or eligibility to practice immediately as Registered In-House Counsel in California.
- Experienced leader and member of an executive team
- Experienced people manager with track record of mentorship and skill development
- 15+ years of relevant legal experience including significant experience in corporate, transactional, technology transfer, engineering, life sciences, or related legal work.
- Demonstrated ability to advise senior stakeholders on complex legal and strategic matters.
- Experience leading or materially supporting high-stakes negotiations and transactions.
Nice To Haves
- Experience structuring novel or complex legal arrangements in innovation-driven environments.
- Experience managing a team of IP professionals or supervising external IP counsel.
- Experience in biotech, life sciences, technology, or similarly fast-moving sectors.
Responsibilities
- Lead legal strategy for complex collaborations, partnerships, and institutional arrangements that advance Arc’s mission.
- Advise leadership on governance, compliance, conflicts, regulatory, and risk matters.
- Oversee legal agreements with academic, industry, nonprofit, and other strategic partners.
- Identify legal pathways that enable new initiatives while protecting the Institute’s interests.
- Support business development and strategic growth initiatives.
- Build and improve legal processes, policies, and frameworks that support speed, clarity, and responsible execution.
- Manage and develop a small legal team, which includes an existing IP & Licensing function, and supervise outside counsel as needed.
- Provide clear, practical, and independent counsel to senior operational and scientific leadership.
Benefits
- annual discretionary bonus
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
