Director of Legal

About the role

We are looking for a Director, Legal to serve as the senior in-house legal resource at Gorilla Commerce. In this role, you will own our legal function across intellectual property, commercial contracts, marketing compliance, and corporate matters — working directly with the CEO, Co-Founder/Chairwoman, and functional leaders across the business. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role for an experienced attorney who is ready to operate as a true business partner and build a world-class in-house legal capability.

What You'll Do

• Intellectual Property & Brand Protection
• Own the company's global trademark portfolio across 10+ brands. Work with external IP counsel on searches, filings, maintenance, enforcement, prosecution, and protection and growth strategies in the US and internationally.
• Oversee patent portfolio management in partnership with external IP counsel including searches, filings, enforcement and prosecution.
• Lead counterfeit and knockoff enforcement strategy as retail channels expand
• Commercial Contracts & Vendor Agreements
• Manage the full contract lifecycle — drafting, review, negotiation, execution, and archiving in Legisway
• Own retailer agreements, co-op contracts, vendor MSAs, and supplier agreements across domestic and international channels
• Build and enforce contract standards and templates to reduce reliance on outside counsel for routine matters
• Outside Counsel Management
• Serve as primary relationship manager for all outside counsel and retained firms
• Scope work, manage fees, and build an internal capability roadmap to reduce outside counsel dependence over time
• Corporate & Insurance
• Handle general corporate legal matters: entity management, compliance filings, and board-level support as needed
• Own company insurance portfolio — renewals, claims coordination, and stakeholder alignment with Finance
• Team & Function Leadership
• Build and manage the in-house legal function — including process and systems
• Serve as a strategic business partner to the CEO, Chairwoman, and functional leaders on legal risk, deal structures, and company-level decisions

What You'll Bring

• J.D. degree required
• 7–10+ years of legal experience, with the majority in an in-house role at a consumer products, e-commerce, or retail company
• Demonstrated experience managing trademark and patent portfolios and working with IP counsel
• Strong commercial contracts background — drafting, redlining, and negotiating independently
• Experience working directly with senior leadership and operating as a trusted business partner
• Familiarity with FTC marketing claims standards, Amazon seller compliance, and multi-channel retail requirements is a strong plus
• Experience with legal operations systems (Legisway, ContractPodAi, or similar) preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to translate legal complexity into clear business guidance
• Highly organized, proactive, and comfortable operating independently in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Experience working with many cross-functional teams including marketing, product development, and IT

What We Offer

• Competitive Benefits Package
• Health Coverage: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, including a free medical option.
• 401(k) with Company Match: Supporting your long-term financial wellness.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO, holidays, and “Birthday Your Way” – take a day off during your birthday month.
• Parental Leave: Paid time off for new parents.
• Wellness Support: Mental health resources, free gym in our Norwalk office, and Employee Assistance Programs.
• Flexible Work Arrangement
• Hybrid schedule with three in-office days (Monday–Wednesday)
• Perks That Matter
• Learning & Development: Professional development encouraged and opportunities provided annually.
• Lifestyle Benefits: Commuter assistance, pet-friendly office, and wellness programs.
• Culture Perks: Free snacks, coffee, and team events to keep our community strong.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We welcome teammates from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. If you think you’re a great fit, we encourage you to apply.