General Counsel

General Counsel – Family Office / Private Equity Platform
Location: Chicago preferred (hybrid flexibility; U.S. time zone alignment required)
Compensation: $200K–$250K base / up to $300K OTE
Reports to: Senior Leadership
Manages: Director of People and HR Coordinator

Overview
This is a first-seat General Counsel opportunity with a rapidly growing investment platform operating across multiple entities and jurisdictions. The company manages an expanding portfolio across private equity, venture, and family office interests, with a lean leadership team and a fast-paced, entrepreneurial culture.

The General Counsel will lead and modernize the organization’s legal, compliance, and HR functions. The role requires someone equally comfortable building from the ground up and serving as a pragmatic business partner — translating complex legal issues into clear operational guidance.

What You’ll Do

• Build and oversee the company’s legal infrastructure, including entity governance, contract management, compliance, and HR policies.

• Partner closely with leadership across finance, operations, HR, and M&A to align legal strategy with business growth.

• Modernize legal operations using automation and AI-driven tools (e.g., Ironclad, Harvey, Spellbook, CoCounsel, Casetext).

• Manage external counsel relationships while reducing dependency through internal process improvements.

• Ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions (U.S., Canada, Israel, Asia) and advise on cross-border transactions.

• Support HR and people operations in areas such as employment law, DEI compliance, and organizational structure.

• Lead risk management, corporate governance, and policy development for new ventures and acquisitions.

What You Bring

• J.D. with active U.S. bar membership.

• 10–20 years of legal experience, with at least 3 years in-house.

• Background in private equity, family office, investment management, or high-growth multi-entity environments.

• Proven experience building or modernizing legal functions (templates, playbooks, compliance frameworks).

• Hands-on orientation: you’re pragmatic, not theoretical, and thrive in environments where no task is beneath you.

• High comfort with technology and automation tools; curious about how AI can streamline work.

• Global compliance or cross-border transaction experience strongly preferred.

• Exceptional communication skills — able to present legal strategy in clear, actionable business language.

• Low-ego, team-oriented approach; thrives in a small, dynamic, founder-led culture.

Who Thrives Here

• Builders: You enjoy creating structure where little exists and can scale systems as the business grows.

• Integrators: You connect the dots across finance, operations, HR, and M&A to make legal a proactive function.

• Modernizers: You see technology as leverage, not disruption, and drive efficiency through smart tools.

• Pragmatic Partners: You’re commercially minded and solution-oriented, not risk-averse or overly academic.

Who Wouldn’t Be a Fit

• Those seeking a large legal department or heavy external support structure.

• Attorneys who prefer to advise from a distance rather than execute alongside operators.

• Individuals uncomfortable with ambiguity, fast pivots, or entrepreneurial decision-making.

• Those resistant to adopting technology or rethinking traditional legal workflows.

Culture & Environment
The team values speed, transparency, and accountability. It’s a small, high-trust environment where decisions are made quickly and collaboration is constant. Leadership expects thoughtful debate, clear communication, and a willingness to roll up your sleeves — no politics, no hierarchy, and no room for egos.