Senior legal Counsel

About the role

Orbital is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to assume ownership of establishing and managing the internal legal department, marking a strategic shift from external counsel dependency to internal expertise. The hire will provide strategic legal guidance and operational support to ensure all business units operate within a robust legal framework. This role is critical as the company navigates rapid growth and scales its operations in the real estate technology sector. The Senior Legal Counsel will act as a key business partner, aligning legal strategy with corporate objectives and mitigating risk across all functions. Ownership of legal processes, documentation, and compliance initiatives will reside primarily with this position. The successful candidate will drive the development of legal policies and procedures that support sustainable business expansion. This position offers the opportunity to shape the legal foundation of a growing company and influence its long-term governance. If you are a seasoned professional ready to lead legal initiatives and embed legal best practices within a dynamic environment, this role is designed for your expertise.

Key facts

What you'll do

Develop and implement a comprehensive legal department framework to replace reliance on external advisors and support organic growth.

Own the creation, review, and negotiation of standard legal documents, ensuring alignment with business goals and regulatory requirements.

Provide proactive legal guidance to business units, translating complex legal concepts into actionable business insights.

Lead risk assessment initiatives to identify potential legal exposures and develop mitigation strategies across all operational areas.

Establish and maintain compliance programs, ensuring adherence to financial, data privacy, and real estate regulatory standards.

Collaborate with finance and executive teams to evaluate legal implications of strategic decisions and business initiatives.

Manage external legal counsel relationships, overseeing vendor selection, performance, and cost efficiency for outsourced matters.

Implement legal technology solutions and process improvements to enhance efficiency, transparency, and document management.

Champion the adoption of security protocols and ensure information handling practices comply with ISO 27001 standards.

Drive the development of training programs to educate internal stakeholders on legal policies, compliance obligations, and best practices.

Contribute to diversity and inclusion efforts by fostering an environment where underrepresented groups in technology feel supported and valued.

Serve as the primary point of contact for legal inquiries, providing timely and accurate responses to internal stakeholders.

Monitor changes in legislation and case law relevant to real estate and technology sectors, advising on potential impacts to the business.

Lead cross-functional projects that require legal expertise, ensuring alignment with corporate governance and ethical standards.

Requirements

Must be admitted to practice law in good standing in New York or possess the ability to obtain such admission in a timely manner.

Must have a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and a minimum of eight years of relevant legal experience.

Demonstrated expertise in real estate law, technology transactions, and corporate governance is mandatory for success in this role.

Must have hands-on experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial contracts, including SaaS, licensing, and real estate agreements.

Proven track record of working directly with C-suite executives and senior leadership to provide strategic legal counsel.

Experience managing external law firms and negotiating legal service agreements is required.

Strong knowledge of U.S. financial regulations, data protection laws, and privacy frameworks such as GDPR and CCPA is essential.

Ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey legal analysis to non-legal audiences effectively.

Nice to have

Preferred experience within the real estate technology sector or a background in proptech innovation.

Familiarity with legal operations and the implementation of legal hold and eDiscovery protocols.

Knowledge of legal project management methodologies and legal billing rate management.

Experience advising on corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, or venture capital transactions.

Understanding of blockchain and smart contract technology and its applications in real estate transactions.

Practical notes

This is a full-time position based in New York.

No specific visa sponsorship information or application deadlines are provided in the source material.