Commercial Counsel

About The Position

The Commercial Counsel is a key member of People Inc's Legal team, serving as a trusted legal advisor to the business and leading the review, negotiation, and implementation of the company's commercial contracting processes. This role partners closely with Sales, Product, Marketing, Technology, Finance, Procurement, and executive leadership to support strategic initiatives while balancing legal risk with business objectives. The Commercial Counsel is responsible for negotiating complex commercial agreements, developing scalable contracting processes, and providing practical, business-oriented legal guidance that accelerates deal execution and enables growth. Success in this role requires exceptional legal judgment, commercial acumen, strong negotiation skills, an entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical business solutions.

Success in this role requires

• Exceptional legal judgment with the ability to provide practical, business-focused advice that balances legal risk with business objectives.
• Strong negotiation, drafting, issue-spotting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to clearly communicate complex legal concepts or issues to the Law Department as well as non-lawyers and executive leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and build trusted partnerships across Sales, Product, Marketing, Technology, Procurement, Finance, and executive leadership.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and negotiate numerous agreements simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High ethical standards, sound judgment, attention to detail, and unquestioned integrity.

Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Bachelor's degree.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar (New York preferred).

Experience

• 4+ years of experience practicing commercial, corporate, technology, media, intellectual property, or business law at a nationally recognized law firm and/or in-house legal department.
• Significant experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating sophisticated commercial agreements.
• Demonstrated interest in advising cross-functional business teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated interest in supporting technology, digital media, publishing, advertising, SaaS, or consumer businesses.
• Demonstrated interest in intellectual property transactions, privacy, AI, product counseling, or data licensing.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, Certifications And Abilities

• Deep knowledge of commercial contracting principles, contract negotiation, and risk allocation.
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed organization and adapt to changing needs.
• Experience negotiating technology, SaaS, licensing, advertising, marketing, procurement, consulting, data processing, and professional services agreements.
• Strong understanding of intellectual property law and commercial transactions.

Pay Range

New York: $150,000.00 - $180,000.00