Counsel (Contracts)
Job description
About the role
Carta is seeking a Counsel (Contracts) to join its legal team and own the full lifecycle of contract management across the organization. This role centers on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements that support the company's platform and business operations. The Counsel will partner closely with product, engineering, sales, and finance teams to ensure that all contractual terms align with Carta's risk tolerance and strategic objectives. This position is based in one of three office locations and reports to the General Counsel or a senior legal leader.
Key facts
What you'll do
Review and draft commercial contracts including SaaS agreements, vendor contracts, and partnership deals across multiple business units. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify contractual risks and propose practical solutions that protect the company's interests. Negotiate terms with external counterparties such as customers, vendors, and service providers to reach mutually acceptable language. Maintain and update standard contract templates and clause libraries to reflect current legal and business requirements. Track contract obligations, renewal dates, and key milestones using internal systems and workflows. Advise business stakeholders on contract interpretation, compliance obligations, and potential legal exposure in day-to-day operations. Coordinate with outside counsel when specialized expertise or jurisdictional knowledge is needed for specific transactions. Participate in legal audits and process improvement initiatives to streamline the contracting lifecycle. Escalate complex or high-risk contractual issues to senior legal leadership with clear recommendations. Ensure all contracts comply with applicable laws, regulations, and internal governance policies.
Requirements
Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. state. A minimum of five years of experience in a corporate law firm or in-house legal role focused on commercial contracts. Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating SaaS, technology, or services agreements in a fast-paced environment. Strong understanding of data privacy, intellectual property, and general commercial legal principles. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain legal concepts to non-lawyers. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a high-volume setting. Comfort working in a collaborative, matrixed organization where legal and business teams interact daily. Willingness to work on-site at one of the three listed office locations.
Nice to have
Experience working in financial technology or equity management platforms is a plus for this role. Familiarity with contract lifecycle management software and legal technology tools can increase efficiency. Prior exposure to venture capital or startup ecosystems provides useful context for Carta's client base. Bilingual capabilities or experience with international agreements may be beneficial depending on business needs.
Skills & tools
Proficiency with contract management platforms such as Ironclad, DocuSign, or similar CLM systems. Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel for contract analysis. Familiarity with legal research databases including Westlaw or LexisNexis for supporting legal work. Ability to use project management tools like Asana, Jira, or Monday.com to track contracting workflows. Knowledge of data protection regulations such as GDPR and CCPA relevant to SaaS agreements. Solid working knowledge of corporate governance documents including bylaws, operating agreements, and board resolutions.
Practical notes
This is a full-time, on-site position at one of the three specified office locations. Candidates should expect to work regular business hours with occasional flexibility for time-sensitive deal negotiations. The role involves a moderate to high volume of contract review and drafting activity on a weekly basis. Carta offers a structured onboarding program and ongoing professional development resources for legal team members. The hiring process includes multiple interviews with legal and business stakeholders to assess both technical and cultural fit. All employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
About the company
's infrastructure and industry wide best practices, that translates into leverage for Carta's business. About You You are excited by the idea of developing scalable, reliable and efficient infrastructure that powers the entire company. We're looking for strong communicators who enjoy collaborating to solve complex problems.