Legal Counsel

Akuna Capital • Chicago, IL

8h • $160,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

As Legal Counsel, you will lead and elevate Akuna’s North American legal function across a wide range of areas, including commercial contracting, policy drafting and implementation, corporate governance, HR and employment matters, regulatory and securities law updates, venture capital investments, and litigation management. You will partner closely with all aspects of the firm including senior management, business teams, and report into the Head of Legal and Compliance. In this role, you will:

Requirements

• Juris Doctor and active licensure in good standing (Illinois required)
• Minimum of 5+ years of relevant legal experience at an exchange, regulator, law firm, and/or as in-house legal counsel
• Regulatory & Compliance Expertise - knowledge of U.S. and international regulations, including SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, and major exchanges
• Corporate & Transactional Skills – exposure to corporate transactions, such as venture investments, M&A, or financing arrangements. Experience reviewing and negotiating trading-related agreements; familiarity with derivatives, market structure, and proprietary trading environments is beneficial
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and communication skills
• Experience working on cross-functional or cross-regional projects with a demonstrated ability to manage projects independently in a fast-moving environment

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiation and oversight of trading, vendor, and market-facing agreements while establishing consistent firmwide contracting standards
• Oversee corporate governance documents, intercompany agreements, and shareholder matters to support global operational and tax structures
• Advise senior leadership on legal risks and considerations related to new markets, trading products, technologies, and strategic initiatives
• Monitor and interpret U.S. and international regulatory developments, providing clear guidance on operational and compliance impacts
• Support venture investments and corporate transactions, including documentation, diligence, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders
• Oversee global insurance programs and policy reviews across liability, property, EPLI, FI bond, and ERISA lines
• Advise on employment-related agreements while supporting HR on global employment law developments and compliance
• Respond to subpoenas, inquiries, and information requests, and oversee outside counsel in active litigation matters
• Manage litigation holds and guides internal stakeholders on documentation, preservation, and risk considerations
• Collaborate with the Human Resources and Recruitment teams to monitor and implement updates in labor and employment laws, provide practical guidance on workplace policies, and advise on employee relations and day-to-day employment issues

Benefits

• This role is also eligible for a discretionary performance bonus as part of the total compensation package and includes a comprehensive benefits package that may encompass employer-paid medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, and other benefits.

What This Job Offers

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