General Counsel

Monstro

General Counsel overseeing all legal functions including compliance, contracts, and regulatory affairs in fintech. Serving as the founding legal architect for Monstro as it scales globally.

Posted 5/22/2026full-timeNew York City • New York • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $317,000 - $377,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the Legal Function
Be our legal authority on every legal matter across all functions - including but not limited to internal legal ops, contracts, data privacy, equity, governance, IP strategy, fundraising
Build & own the legal function from scratch - processes, templates, playbooks, and risk frameworks that scale - and be the trusted advisor to execs on legal risk & strategy
Manage primary outside counsel strategically, knowing what to handle in-house, when to escalate, and when to go direct to local counsel
Leverage & implement AI tools within legal as appropriate
Own all vendor contract negotiation and management such as those covering data licensing, API access, and third-party AI infrastructure
Build contract frameworks and playbooks to strategically manage vendor relationships
Partner with engineering to ensure contractual terms align with how data is ingested, processed, and attributed
Lead negotiation and drafting of complex institutional client agreements - MSAs, data processing agreements, and deployment contracts with banks and financial institutions
Partner with the commercial team to structure deals, resolve blockers, and close quickly
Advise on liability, indemnification, IP ownership, and data rights
Own Monstro’s compliance & regulation posture across all areas: financial services, data privacy, AI governance, and consumer protection in every jurisdiction
Monitor the regulatory landscape for AI in financial services and action as needed
Liaise with regulators and ensure Monstro remains audit-ready
Build frameworks & strategies to remain legal/compliant as we scale to new jurisdictions
Manage the process of hiring, partnering with or managing outside counsel in new areas
Advise on cross-border data transfers, local licensing, and jurisdiction-specific contract requirements
Define and own Monstro's IP strategy - focused on structuring and documenting proprietary technology, not defaulting to patent filings
Advise on trade secret protection, confidentiality frameworks, and what makes Monstro's technology distinct and protectable
Manage existing trademark filings and partner with engineering and product to embed IP thinking into how the company builds.

Requirements

What you’ll need

10-12+ years of legal experience, with meaningful in-house experience at a fintech, AI company, or financial institution - or a combination of top-tier law firm and in-house
JD required; New York bar admission strongly preferred
Deep familiarity with the legal and regulatory landscape for AI and data-driven products in financial services
Proven negotiator on complex commercial contracts with banks or similar regulated counterparties
Hands-on experience with data licensing, API agreements, and third-party vendor contracts
Experience supporting international expansion - entity structuring, local counsel management, multi-jurisdictional compliance
Commercially minded - finds solutions that protect without stalling momentum.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive Compensation Package: Competitive salary, equity, and robust benefits package, including paid health, vision, dental, and disability coverage.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

legal operationscontract negotiationdata privacyIP strategyfundraisingvendor managementcomplianceregulatory landscapedata licensingcommercial contracts

Soft Skills

trusted advisorstrategic thinkingnegotiationproblem-solvingcollaborationcommunicationleadershipadaptabilitycommercial mindsetrelationship management

Certifications

JDNew York bar admission