Lead Counsel

Captions is the leading video AI company, building the future of video creation. Over 10 million creators and businesses have used Captions to create videos for social media, marketing, sales, and more. We're on a mission to serve the next billion.

We are a rapidly growing team of ambitious, experienced, and devoted engineers, researchers, designers, marketers, and operators based in NYC. You'll join an early team and have an outsized impact on the product and the company's culture.

We’re very fortunate to have some the best investors and entrepreneurs backing us, including Index Ventures (Series C lead), Kleiner Perkins (Series B lead), Sequoia Capital (Series A and Seed co-lead), Andreessen Horowitz (Series A and Seed co-lead), Uncommon Projects, Kevin Systrom, Mike Krieger, Lenny Rachitsky, Antoine Martin, Julie Zhuo, Ben Rubin, Jaren Glover, SVAngel, 20VC, Ludlow Ventures, Chapter One, and more.

Check out our latest financing milestone and some other coverage:

The Information: 50 Most Promising Startups

Fast Company: Next Big Things in Tech

The New York Times: When A.I. Bridged a Language Gap, They Fell in Love

Business Insider: 34 most promising AI startups

Time: The Best Inventions of 2024

**Please note that all of our roles will require you to be in-person at our NYC HQ (located in Union Square) ******

About the Role:

We are looking for an experienced, strategic, and entrepreneurial legal professional to lead legal operations at Captions. As Lead Counsel, you will serve as the primary legal advisor to the leadership team and the organization, and you will collaborate with Captions’ teams to identify ways to enhance and streamline our business, while mitigating legal and risk factors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee all legal operations for Captions, ensuring alignment with business objectives and minimizing legal and regulatory risks.

• Manage relationships with external law firms to ensure consistent communication and coordination among all legal partners.

• Protect and manage the company's intellectual property (IP) portfolio, including trademarks, copyrights, and patents.

• Oversee privacy and data protection initiatives, ensuring the company’s policies and practices comply with applicable laws and regulations, such as GDPR.

• Monitor and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, proactively addressing potential regulatory changes and their impact on the business.

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with customers, vendors, and other third parties to ensure legal compliance and protect the company's interests.

• Support the HR team in managing employment law matters, including employee contracts, immigration, and other related legal issues.

• Manage and maintain corporate legal documentation, including board resolutions, minutes, and other governance documents.

• Identify and mitigate potential legal risks across all areas of the business, developing strategies to address emerging risks as the company scales.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., Finance, HR, CEO, COO) to align legal strategies with broader business goals.

Requirments:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with at least one state bar, including NY.

• 5+ years of legal experience, including experience at both a major law firm and an in-house role at a startup or high-growth technology company.

• Demonstrated experience managing legal operations, including intellectual property (IP) management, privacy and data protection, regulatory compliance, employment law, and contract negotiation and management.

• Strong understanding of privacy laws and regulations, including but not limited to GDPR and SOC II.

• Proven ability to navigate a complex regulatory landscape and provide strategic legal guidance in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including finance, HR, and executive leadership teams.

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with a track record of building effective relationships with external law firms and internal teams.

• Ability to streamline legal processes to enhance operational efficiency and reduce legal costs.

• Strong problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating legal risks.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a rapidly scaling environment.

Bonus Points:

• Experience in AI, media, and/or consumer applications.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

• 401K with employer match

• Commuter Benefits

• Catered lunch multiple days per week

• Dinner stipend every night if you're working late and want a bite!

• Doordash DashPass subscription

• Health & Wellness Perks (Talkspace, Kindbody, One Medical subscription, HealthAdvocate, Teladoc)

• Multiple team offsites per year with team events every month

• Generous PTO policy and flexible WFH days

Captions provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Please note benefits apply to full time employees only.