This is a unique and exciting opportunity to join Pinecone as its first Director of Legal. Pinecone is a fully managed vector database company that enables businesses to leverage high-performance AI applications. In this role, you will be joining a dynamic and fast-growing startup with over $150 million in funding from leading Silicon Valley venture funds, and will have the tremendous opportunity of influencing Pinecone’s culture and strategy.

As Director of Legal, you will be responsible for overseeing and managing all legal matters within the organization, with a strong focus on commercial matters, data protection and privacy. Your expertise and guidance will be crucial in ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, protecting our IP, mitigating risks, and providing strategic legal counsel to the executive team. This role requires exceptional leadership, strong business acumen, and the ability to navigate complex legal issues in a fast-paced startup environment.

Responsibilities:

• Commercial Agreements:
• Draft, review, and negotiate a high volume of commercial agreements, including customer contracts, partnership agreements, vendor agreements, and licensing agreements.
• Advise internal stakeholders on relevant legal implications, risks, and opportunities.
• Ensure that contracts are properly executed, stored, and maintained.
• Legal Strategy and Compliance:
• Develop and execute the company's legal strategy, aligning it with the overall business objectives.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations applicable to our industry, especially those related to commercial contracts.
• Monitor changes in relevant laws and regulations, and proactively adapt company policies and practices to maintain compliance.
• Data Protection and Privacy:
• Providing practical, timely and strategic legal advice and counsel on global privacy and data security-related matters.
• Advising on best practices and compliance with global privacy and data protection laws, as well as overseeing legal and regulatory aspects of data collection and use, privacy disclosures and transparency, and related issues.
• Advising on potential liability and other legal aspects related to data privacy and data security incidents.
• Intellectual Property:
• Protect the company's IP rights, including trademarks, copyrights, and patents related to our products or services.
• Conduct IP due diligence for potential acquisitions or partnerships.
• Collaborate with external counsel when necessary to enforce IP rights or defend against infringement claims.
• Corporate Governance and Compliance:
• Advise on corporate governance matters, including board meetings, shareholder meetings, and corporate filings.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to promote ethical conduct and maintain compliance.
• Stay up-to-date with changes in corporate governance best practices and ensure the company's compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Risk Management and Dispute Resolution:
• Identify potential legal risks, especially related to commercial agreements, and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Manage and oversee any litigation, disputes, or claims involving the company.
• Legal Team Management:
• Lead and manage a team of legal professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities for team members.
• Manage external legal resources and maintain relationships with outside counsel.

Qualifications:

• Licensed attorney with J.D. from a top law school with exceptional academic credentials.
• 8+ years of relevant legal experience, including experience in a law firm and in-house legal department at startups or public SaaS companies.
• Strong knowledge of corporate law, contracts, employment, IP, and regulatory compliance, with a focus on commercial agreements.
• Proven experience providing strategic legal counsel to senior executives, particularly in high-growth environments.
• Experience working with a global team, with international operations.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ethical conduct and integrity in previous roles.

Join our team and contribute to the growth and success of our startup by leading our legal initiatives, protecting our interests, and ensuring compliance.