Associate General Counsel, Commercial

At Matter Labs, we believe freedom drives progress and prosperity. We don’t see ourselves as a company, but as a team aligned around a single mission: to advance personal freedom for all (see ZK Credo).

To achieve this goal, we’re building zkSync — a credibly neutral, fully open source technology stack and network on top of Ethereum, which is owned and governed by its community. We use advanced cryptography called zero-knowledge proofs to scale Ethereum infinitely without compromising on security or decentralization. With a world-class team, a community of over 1M supporters across Twitter + Discord, and hundreds of millions $ in funding, we have abundant resources to accomplish the mission.

We are looking for a seasoned Commercial Associate General Counsel to join our legal team. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, you will be Matter Labs principal in-house legal advisor for a broad range of commercial and corporate matters. This role involves leading legal strategy and management for ecosystem development, including strategic investments, partnerships, financing, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions. Additionally, you will handle cross-border corporate transactions and commercial agreements.

As our ideal candidate, you are as comfortable driving projects as you are jumping in to help on other matters, regardless of the work to be done. You are a flexible and creative thinker with a business mindset and solution-oriented approach to delivering legal services. You are comfortable interacting and collaborating with a variety of internal partners and sophisticated clients. And you want to be part of a low-ego, high-performance company.

This is a 100% remote position (with the likelihood of optional travel to team and/or industry events) and is open to EU and UK based candidates.

What You’ll Be Doing

• • • Corporate Transactions: Act as the primary legal advisor for corporate transactions, including financings, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures.
    • Cross-Border Deals: Structure, negotiate, and document international partnerships and other relationships, with a strong focus on the crypto ecosystem.
    • Decentralization Strategy: Participate in developing the company’s decentralization strategy and related initiatives.
    • Commercial Agreements: Negotiate and draft commercial agreements and technology transactions.
    • Legal Advice: Provide expert advice on product development, privacy, data protection, and intellectual property matters.
    • Compliance: Counsel internal clients on legal and compliance policies and implications related to proposed transactions.
    • Project Management: Lead and manage multiple projects efficiently, providing counsel on complex legal, compliance, and business issues.
    • Thought Leadership: Contribute strategic insights and thought leadership to internal teams.
    • Outside Counsel: Oversee and direct external legal advisors as needed for complex legal issues.
    • General Counsel Support: Perform various other duties as delegated by the General Counsel

What We Look For in You

• • • Experience: Significant experience as a lawyer, with a background of several years in both top-tier law firms and in-house roles, particularly in international corporate transactions and technology
    • Jurisdictional Qualification: Legally qualified to practice law in your jurisdiction
    • Crypto Knowledge: Experience in the crypto space is advantageous, though a strong interest and understanding of the sector are also important
    • Cross-Border Expertise: Proven ability to handle legal issues across different jurisdictions, with experience engaging local counsel when necessary
    • Commercial Acumen: Excellent commercial awareness with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach to legal challenges.
    • Leadership and Influence: Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and build relationships across organizational and geographic boundaries
    • Collaboration: Effective in working with diverse stakeholders and maintaining productive working relationships
    • Self-Motivation: Highly self-motivated, flexible, proactive, and capable of managing complex matters with minimal supervision
    • Communication Skills: Impeccable judgment with strong interpersonal skills and fluency in English; additional languages are a plus
    • Academic Background: Strong academic credentials from a top-tier institution

At Matter Labs, you have the freedom to work how you want, when you want, and from where you want. All positions are 100% remote (with optional travel to team and/or industry events). We operate in lean and nimble teams, with no time tracking and minimum bureaucracy. We move fast. Only results matter. We will provide you with everything you need to learn, grow, and be productive.

Our results-only environment means anyone who believes in our mission can join us, regardless of background, sexual orientation, race, gender, and age. Both our team and community are made up of people from diverse backgrounds. That’s why, out of politeness and respect, we refrain from opinions on politics, religion, or sex at the workplace.

We designed our culture around the tenants of freedom and ownership. This ethos will underpin our positive-sum community as we evolve toward full decentralization.

– Competitive compensation

– Equity and token package

– 100% coverage for health, dental, and vision Insurance

– 16 weeks of parental leave

– Flexible paid time off

– Company closure weeks 1-2x per year

– $2000 USD work equipment stipend

– $300 USD monthly co-working allowance

– Company offsites 1-2x per year

– $500 USD learning & development stipend

– 401k plan for US Employees

Don’t meet every single requirement? That’s ok. At Matter Labs, we think big with a long-term view and encourage you to apply even if you don’t think you check every box in the job description.

If this role resonates with you, please apply now.

Read more about working at Matter Labs here.