Counsel / Senior Counsel - Data Licensing and Commercial Contracts
About the Role
Our client, a leading global financial services and data organization, is seeking an attorney with data, financial services, or other sophisticated commercial contracting experience to join its growing, collegial team. Depending on experience, this may be a Counsel or Senior Counsel role. The primary focus is on commercial data licensing, technology and software licensing, and strategic agreements. This is a hands-on individual-contributor position with a clear path to growing within the team while working on cutting edge products and relationships. The role is based in Midtown Manhattan and is in-office five days per week.
Responsibilities
- Draft, review and negotiate deals that span data licenses, market data and financial product licenses, redistribution arrangements, and exchange agreements across global markets
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, with an emphasis on U.S.-based customer data license agreements and data-sourcing contracts
- Advise on and negotiate complex, strategic commercial transactions across the business
- Help shape how the legal team adopts AI—from contract review and workflow automation to template development—as part of a broader legal innovation initiative
- Provide timely, business-oriented legal advice to internal stakeholders across sales, product, finance, marketing, and data governance functions
- Identify legal and regulatory risk within proposed business strategies and offer practical, creative solutions
- Ensure all advice aligns with applicable regulatory requirements and internal policies, including global data protection and financial services regulations
- Assist in the preparation and review of external Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposal (RFPs)
- Collaborate with commercial and product teams during client negotiations and issue resolution
- Drive improvements to legal workflows, templates, and processes, including through AI-enabled tools
- Contribute to a positive, collaborative legal department culture and mentor junior team members
Qualifications
- J.D. with active admission to the New York Bar and 3+ years of relevant legal experience
- Demonstrated expertise in commercial licensing, contract drafting and negotiation, and legal advisory work, ideally at a financial services, financial data or financial technology company and/or an Am Law firm or strong boutique
- Experience in corporate law / M&A may qualify
- Hands-on experience with market data, global exchanges, and financial services/markets, with the ability to operate across diverse product areas preferred
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deliver clear, concise advice to senior management and business heads
- Proven negotiation skills and a track record of navigating complex, multi-party commercial arrangements
- A business-minded, solution-oriented approach and strong organizational skills, with the flexibility to accommodate international time zones as needed
- The ability to work independently, collaborate and learn new technologies and skills
- Outstanding professional references
Position Details
- Type of role: Permanent, In-House Counsel
- Schedule: Full-time
- Location: New York, New York (In-Office, five days per week)
Compensation
The base salary range for this role is $165,000 to $200,000. This position is also eligible for annual cash incentive compensation and, potentially, equity incentive. Pay is based on multiple factors including but not limited to work experience, qualifications, credentials, and location.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
- 401(k) plan
- Generous leave policies