Head of Legal

About the role

Withpulley accelerates commercial construction for leading architects, builders, and retailers by removing project delays. The firm applies artificial intelligence and specialized guidance to navigate the unpredictable permitting stage, which spans more than 19,000 jurisdictions, and significantly shortens approval timelines while enhancing forecasting accuracy. Established in 2021, the company has received funding from CRV, Susa Ventures, and Fifth Wall, alongside leaders from Plaid, Segment, ServiceTitan, and Procore, and works on rollout programs for major brands like J.Crew, Solidcore, and Hibbett Sports as well as data center buildouts and EV charging networks. You will serve as the inaugural legal hire, constructing the entire legal department from scratch and building the foundational legal infrastructure that supports rapid growth and complex commercial operations.

Key facts

What you'll do

1) Construct the legal frameworks, templates, and operational playbooks required as the organization scales its operations.

2) Guide leadership on corporate legal issues and identify potential risks before they escalate into major problems.

3) Work alongside co-founders and cross functional leaders to shape new products and service lines effectively.

4) Provide early legal and strategic input as the company expands into new and emerging markets.

5) Oversee connections with external law firms for specialized matters like litigation, M&A, and intellectual property.

6) Serve as a reliable legal advisor across the company, converting complex law into clear and actionable guidance.

7) Handle the complete drafting, review, and negotiation of agreements with customers, vendors, and various business partners.

8) Collaborate directly with the Sales and Revenue teams to structure transactions and remove obstacles from deals.

9) Establish a standardized contracting process that supports rapid business growth without sacrificing necessary legal protection.

10) Ensure all legal documentation aligns with the company's strategic objectives and overarching commercial goals.

11) Develop a comprehensive compliance program that addresses regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions and industries.

12) Manage the recruitment and mentoring of future legal team members as the department grows.

Requirements

1) Possess 6 to 9 years of experience in corporate or commercial legal practice, ideally including a top startup-focused law firm.

2) Have a background in general corporate law, tech transactions, and commercial contracts supporting emerging businesses.

3) Ideally support emerging companies, venture-backed startups, or growth-stage businesses in a legal capacity and mindset.

4) Hold a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and maintain active bar admission currently.

5) Demonstrate a strong track record in drafting and negotiating customer, vendor, and partner agreements successfully.

6) Exercise excellent judgment when deciding whether to resolve matters independently or engage outside counsel appropriately.

7) Feel comfortable operating as a generalist rather than focusing on a narrow legal specialty or practice area.

8) Combine startup-focused law firm experience with in-house work to understand both external and internal perspectives.

9) Show a proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

10) Bring excellent communication skills and the ability to explain legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders clearly.

Nice to have

1) Prior in-house experience at a startup or growth-stage technology company is highly valued and preferred.

2) Background in corporate governance or financing-related legal work provides a significant advantage for this role.

3) Exposure to the construction, real estate, or proptech industries is considered a strong plus for candidates.

4) Familiarity with data center buildouts or EV charging network projects offers an additional benefit to the team.

Skills & tools

1) Proficiency in drafting and reviewing commercial contracts and other standard legal agreements efficiently.

2) Ability to manage outside counsel relationships for specialized legal matters requiring external expertise.

3) Strong understanding of corporate governance principles and venture-backed company operational structures and dynamics.

4) Skill in translating complex legal concepts into clear, practical guidance for business teams.

5) Experience structuring commercial deals and negotiating partnership agreements to support company growth objectives.

6) Familiarity with AI-powered permitting platforms and construction technology sectors provides a relevant context.

Practical notes

1) This role is based in New York and requires full-time on-site presence at the company office.

2) The position involves high ownership and significant ambiguity within a fast-moving startup environment daily.

3) Candidates must be commercially minded and prefer pragmatic business-friendly solutions over rigid process or bureaucracy.

4) You will communicate directly with non-lawyers and build trust quickly across all company functions and teams.