Commercial Counsel

Location: US - Remote (EST & CST time zones preferred; eligible states: AL, AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OR, PA, SC, TX, UT, WA, WI)

About the role

Canto is hiring its first in-house legal leader to build and scale a modern legal function from the ground up. This role is focused on commercial contracting as a strategic driver of growth — not just risk mitigation. Reporting to the CFO, you will design and operate an AI-enabled contracting function that accelerates deal velocity, reduces friction, and enables the business to scale efficiently and effectively. Within your first six months, you will own our end-to-end contracting operations, implement foundational systems and playbooks, and establish yourself as the primary legal partner across Sales, Finance, and the executive team. If you thrive in a builder environment and want to define what great legal looks like at a scaling SaaS company, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

• Drive Commercial Contracting & Sales Enablement
  • Own negotiation and execution of commercial SaaS agreements — including MSAs, subscription agreements, DPAs, and NDAs — while enabling the business to move quickly within defined guardrails.
  • Enforce company positions on non-standard terms and manage escalation paths, improving time-to-signature without increasing legal or commercial risk.
  • Train and enable Sales to handle routine negotiations independently, reducing legal bottlenecks at scale.
• Own & Scale Contracting Operations
  • Lead the end-to-end contracting function for all customer and vendor agreements, building a scalable, AI-enabled operation that reduces manual work and accelerates deal cycles.
  • Implement and manage a Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system, including templates, negotiation playbooks, approval workflows, and delegation of authority controls.
  • Leverage AI-driven legal tools for contract review, risk flagging, and workflow automation — actively identifying opportunities to reduce outside counsel reliance over time.
• Manage Risk Across Vendor Relationships, Privacy, and Governance
  • Own vendor contracting and procurement legal processes, maintaining a contract repository with proactive tracking of key terms and obligations.
  • Lead legal aspects of data privacy — including DPA negotiation and regulatory alignment with GDPR, CCPA, and related frameworks — and monitor evolving requirements across Canto's operating and customer geographies.
  • Partner with Security, Product, and Executive Leadership on emerging legal and regulatory requirements related to AI, data governance, automated decision-making, IP, and responsible AI practices.
• Lead the Legal Function
  • Serve as the primary legal advisor across commercial and operational matters, managing outside counsel relationships across the US and Europe with a focus on cost efficiency and minimizing routine escalations.
  • Handle disputes and pre-litigation matters with a pragmatic, resolution-oriented approach, and advise on Canto's corporate entity compliance program.
  • Partner with Security during privacy and security events, coordinating on notification obligations, contractual commitments, regulatory requirements, and privilege preservation.

Requirements

• JD and active bar membership in good standing.
• 5–8 years of legal experience in SaaS or technology, in-house or a mix of law firm and in-house.
• Strong experience negotiating commercial SaaS agreements, including MSAs, subscription agreements, DPAs, and NDAs.
• Working knowledge of data privacy frameworks, including GDPR, CCPA, and related regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, build processes from scratch, and establish legal infrastructure in a scaling environment.
• Experience partnering with Sales and go-to-market teams in a high-velocity commercial environment.
• Clear interest in legal technology and AI-driven workflows, with a commitment to building a modern, tech-enabled legal function.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with CLM systems and AI-enabled legal review or drafting tools.
• Background in multi-entity, multi-jurisdiction SaaS businesses with US and EU exposure.
• Prior experience as an early or first in-house legal hire.
• Familiarity with vendor, partner, or channel contracting models.

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
• Commercial judgment and pragmatism — able to balance legal risk with business velocity and act as a trusted partner, not a gatekeeper.
• Comfort with ambiguity and a builder's mindset; able to create structure, systems, and process where none exist.
• Ability to leverage AI tools for contract review, workflow automation, and legal operations — and a proactive approach to identifying new efficiencies through technology.
• Cross-functional collaboration skills and a track record of building trust with Sales, Finance, and executive stakeholders.

Benefits

• Ignite Your Potential – Join a fast-growing company where innovation and agility fuel success.
• Make an Impact – Your ideas and efforts directly shape our future—every contribution matters.
• Learn, Grow, Thrive – Gain real-world experience and develop new skills as we scale.
• Stronger Together – Be part of a close-knit, supportive team that values collaboration and camaraderie.
• Your Voice Matters – We foster open communication and transparency so every idea is heard.
• Turn Challenges into Triumphs – Solve meaningful problems with creativity and confidence.
• Balance that Works for You – We believe success comes from a healthy work-life harmony.
• Endless Growth Potential – As we rise, so do you. Step into new opportunities and grow with us.
• A Global Perspective – Work alongside diverse, talented colleagues and broaden your horizons.