Senior Contracts Lawyer

About the role

Carta is building an AI-native legal ecosystem to modernize private capital transactions. This role is situated within the dynamic UK Contracts team, where the successful candidate will leverage technology to manage high-volume legal workflows and intricate pre-merger and acquisition agreements. You will operate at the intersection of legal expertise and technological innovation, driving efficiency across sophisticated deal structures. The position requires a professional who is comfortable navigating complex multi-party negotiations while utilizing cutting-edge legal tech platforms. You will be instrumental in shaping and standardizing contractual language for the firm's global client base. This is an opportunity to own critical legal processes that directly impact the firm's commercial strategy and operational scale. The role demands a proactive approach to managing external legal resources and optimizing spend without compromising on quality or risk management. You will be a key architect in ensuring that our contract lifecycle management practices are robust, secure, and aligned with business objectives.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Negotiate high-value, intricate pre-M&A contracts and agreements involving multiple parties across various jurisdictions.
• Act as the primary point of contact for sophisticated asset managers and investment fund clients, ensuring all commercial and legal objectives are met.
• Oversee and direct the work of external legal counsel, providing clear instructions and maintaining quality control.
• Refine and expand the firm-wide standard clause library and playbook systems to ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Integrate and test new features within the Carta legal technology stack, specifically Carta Ava, to enhance workflow automation.
• Provide mentorship, structured feedback, and professional development to senior paralegals and E4 Contract Lawyers to elevate team capability.
• Manage the balance between legal risk mitigation and commercial deal momentum, ensuring transactions progress efficiently.
• Monitor external legal spend and implement strategies to optimize costs without sacrificing the quality of legal output.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to interpret business objectives and translate them into legally sound contract terms.
• Lead the resolution of complex legal issues that arise during negotiations, offering solutions that align with business needs.

Requirements

• Hold a current license to practice law in the UK, Canada, the US, or Europe, demonstrating a broad jurisdictional understanding.
• Bring a minimum of 5 years of post-qualification experience in a relevant legal field.
• Demonstrate a proven ability to lead complex, cross-border, and multi-jurisdictional negotiations independently from initial drafting to execution.
• Show extensive experience managing senior stakeholder relationships within the financial services sector, including asset managers and fund providers.
• Exhibit the capability to balance legal risk with commercial business goals while effectively managing external legal spend.
• Possess strong analytical skills to interpret complex transactional documents and identify potential legal pitfalls.
• Display excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate legal positions to non-legal professionals.
• Show a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality in all aspects of the role.

Nice to have

• Experience in team strategy and resource planning to optimize legal department operations.

Practical notes

• Carta is an equal opportunity employer.
• Candidates requiring accommodations for a disability or medical condition during the interview process should contact the talent partner via email.
• Official correspondence will only originate from @carta.com or @carta-external.com email addresses. Please report any suspicious communications to security@carta.com.

The Senior Contracts Lawyer will work a standard full-time schedule, engaging primarily from the London office. There may be requirements for travel to other Carta offices or client sites as business needs dictate. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom without the need for sponsorship. This role involves significant interaction with advanced legal technology platforms, requiring a high level of digital literacy. Success in this position is defined by the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker who can operate autonomously and contribute to the firm's long-term legal vision. This position offers the chance to influence the future of legal operations in a high-growth technology company.