In-House Counsel - Munich
Job description
About the role
You will serve as the primary legal strategist for CLO Virtual Fashion's European operations, translating complex business objectives into clear, actionable legal guidance. This role demands a proactive thinker who thrives at the intersection of technology, fashion, and global commerce, safeguarding our innovation while enabling responsible growth. You will own the end-to-end management of commercial contracts, ensuring terms align with our agile development cycles and international partnership models. You will advise on data privacy, intellectual property protection, and regulatory compliance across the digital fashion ecosystem. You will collaborate closely with product, engineering, and business leaders to de-risk new initiatives and support scalable solutions. You will act as a trusted advisor to cross-functional teams, balancing legal prudence with the speed required in a high-growth environment. You will help shape our corporate governance framework to support sustainable expansion and long-term value creation. You will contribute to building a robust legal foundation that reinforces CLO's leadership in 3D clothing simulation and digital fashion infrastructure.
Key facts
What you'll do
Draft, review, and negotiate a diverse range of commercial agreements, including but not limited to software licenses, service arrangements, partnerships, and vendor engagements.
Develop and maintain a deep understanding of our products and workflows, working directly with technical teams to assess legal risks associated with new features and platform integrations.
Lead the creation of standardized contract templates and playbooks that balance legal protection with operational efficiency and speed.
Coordinate with internal stakeholders to conduct impact assessments for new initiatives, ensuring alignment with legal, regulatory, and business standards.
Advise on the protection of intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets relevant to our simulation technology and digital assets.
Manage corporate documentation and governance processes, ensuring accurate records and compliance with entity obligations in key jurisdictions.
Liaise with external counsel and service providers to address specialized legal matters while maintaining cost-effective and strategic oversight.
Monitor evolving regulatory landscapes, including data protection laws and digital commerce requirements, and guide the organization on necessary compliance measures.
Support the design and implementation of smart tagging and digital identity programs, ensuring legal clarity around traceability and asset management.
Assess risks and opportunities in international collaborations, ensuring contracts reflect the realities of cross-border operations and multi-jurisdictional stakeholder needs.
Provide training and guidance to non-legal teams on key contractual and compliance topics, fostering a culture of legal awareness across the organization.
Partner with leadership to evaluate new market entry strategies, identifying structural and regulatory considerations for scaling in emerging regions.
Review and optimize our contracting processes and documentation workflows to improve clarity, reduce turnaround time, and enhance stakeholder satisfaction.
Act as a strategic partner in M&A discussions, conducting legal due diligence and supporting integration planning where applicable.
Requirements
You possess a law degree and are eligible to practice in a relevant jurisdiction, with a strong academic background and proven analytical ability.
You have at least several years of experience in in-house legal roles, demonstrating your capacity to handle diverse responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
You are proficient in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts, with a solid grasp of key terms and business implications.
You have a keen interest in technology, software, and digital business models, enabling you to engage effectively with technical stakeholders.
You hold the right to work and reside in Germany without requiring sponsorship, ensuring immediate readiness for the role.
You are fluent in German, both written and verbal, allowing you to communicate confidently with local teams and partners.
You are fluent in English, both written and verbal, ensuring seamless collaboration with global stakeholders.
You demonstrate sound business judgment, balancing legal rigor with commercial pragmatism to support strategic decision-making.
You are proactive in identifying legal risks and proposing practical solutions that align with business goals and regulatory expectations.
Nice to have
Experience in the fashion, apparel, or creative industries, providing context-specific insights into sector-specific challenges.
Familiarity with 3D design, simulation, or digital asset management technologies, enhancing your ability to collaborate with product teams.
Understanding of data privacy regulations and digital commerce frameworks, supporting compliance initiatives in fast-growth environments.
Knowledge of corporate structuring in European jurisdictions, aiding in entity management and cross-border operations.
Experience with contract lifecycle management tools or legal operations best practices, contributing to process optimization efforts.
Background in intellectual property management, particularly in technology-driven creative industries.
Practical notes
This position requires relocation to Munich, Germany.
The role operates full-time hours within standard business schedules.
Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria without exception.
Only candidates who align closely with the outlined requirements will be considered for further stages.