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.

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