VP of Legal

Adaptive Security•New York, NY

13d

About The Position

Adaptive Security is hiring its first in-house attorney to manage its legal and compliance functions. The ideal candidate will manage and lead the legal function, playing an integral part in accelerating the company’s growth. The VP, Legal will report directly to the CEO, be an integral part of the management team, collaborating closely with other stakeholders and business leaders. As the first in-house attorney, you will oversee all legal and related matters, including commercial, product development, data privacy, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, employment, and litigation. The ideal candidate is commercially minded, pragmatic, and comfortable operating independently in an environment with minimal existing legal infrastructure.

Requirements

J.D. and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar—preference to practice law in New York.
6+ years of experience practicing at a reputable law firm and as an in-house counsel at a technology or cybersecurity company.
Exceptional judgment and discretion, with the ability to assess risk, navigate ambiguity, and make sound decisions in complex or high-stakes situations.
Strong executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable business guidance.
An operational mindset and willingness to get your hands dirty, gaining exposure to many parts of the business
Business-oriented and solutions-driven mindset, comfortable operating in fast-moving organizations and partnering cross-functionally to enable growth while managing risk.

Nice To Haves

A history of implementing processes through AI and legal technology is strongly preferred.
Experience in the technology, security, or software industries is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

Legal Function: Drive legal strategy to holistically manage all legal and compliance-related matters and help manage risk impacting the company’s business.
Strategic: Advise the CEO and Leadership Team on strategy and high‑impact decisions as the sole legal counsel to the company.
Commercial: Lead major commercial agreements, strategic partnerships, vendor relationships, and licensing; support M&A, including diligence, deal structuring, and integration planning.
Product: Lead and manage the Product Legal function alongside Product and Engineering leadership.
Privacy & data: Provide expert legal advice on privacy laws and data protection to internal stakeholders, ensuring product teams, engineering, and management are well-informed.
Compliance: Assist in developing policies and procedures to ensure the company complies with all applicable rules and regulations.
Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate legal/regulatory risk; provide proactive counsel on emerging risks and embed practical risk frameworks across the business.
People, Culture & Employment: Advise on employment law, policies, and sensitive workforce matters; partner closely with People & Culture leadership.
Other legal matters: Oversee additional legal areas as the company grows, including IP, corporate governance, M&A, and litigation; manage outside counsel to deliver high-quality, cost-effective, and business-aligned outcomes.

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