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Product Counsel

Manhattan, New York, United States

Interested in working on cutting-edge blockchain technology and creating equitable access to the global financial system? Since 2014, the mission-driven team at the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) has helped fuel the tremendous growth of the Stellar blockchain network, an open-source platform that operates at high-scale today. Developers and companies around the world build on it, and the SDF team is expanding to support the rapidly growing and changing Stellar ecosystem.

SDF is seeking a proactive, business-oriented attorney to provide product counsel for a suite of on-chain wallet products, payment tools, and infrastructure. You will support business teams, product managers, and engineers by advising on issues relating to non-custodial wallets, digital payments, and other on-chain products. As a member of the legal team, you will have the opportunity to work alongside a team of talented attorneys and policy professionals in a fast-paced industry with a supportive and friendly company culture, advising on some of the most exciting and innovative legal issues in blockchain technology, digital assets, and global payments.

In this role, you will: 

  • Work closely with our Engineering and Product Management teams.
  • Provide legal input on the design of new digital wallet functionalities, payment tools, and infrastructure.  
  • Draft terms of use, privacy policies, and online disclosures. 
  • Advise on money transmission laws as they relate to custody and key management for self-hosted applications. 
  • Advise on related compliance obligations, consumer protection, and privacy issues. 
  • Provide guidance on platform application marketplace rules and restrictions such as the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and Chrome Web Store. 
  • Work with our in-house policy team to monitor regulatory developments in the U.S. and international markets.
  • Work with our outside counsel where necessary for subject matter expertise or international support.

You have: 

  • 3+ years of relevant law firm and/or in-house experience, preferably in tech, tradfi, fintech, or, ideally, crypto.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to present complex compliance and regulatory issues in a clear and concise manner.
  • Practical risk assessment skills and the ability to work with product teams to find mitigation options and provide results-oriented legal guidance.
  • Ability to understand complex technical and financial systems and how they interact with the law.
  • Organized and able to prioritize (and re-prioritize) in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
  • Excellent EQ and interpersonal skills.
  • A J.D. and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar. 
  • And most importantly…. a sense of humor!

Nice to haves (optional):

  • We would love to find someone with experience advising on digital assets, but as long as you can demonstrate a sound understanding and strong interest, we can help get you up to speed! While we’re here, major bonus points are if you are familiar with the FinCEN CVC guidance, have experience with money transmission laws, and/or have experience overseeing illicit finance compliance programs. Any experience in smart contracts and DeFi would be the cherry on top! 

We offer competitive pay with a base salary range for this position of $150,000 - $200,000 depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, we offer lumen-denominated grants along with the following perks and benefits:

USA Benefits/Perks:

  • Competitive health, dental & vision coverage with most plans covered at 100% for the employee + any dependants
  • Flexible time off + 15 company holidays including a company-wide holiday break
  • Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for both non-birthing and birthing parents, as well as up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy leave for birthing parents
  • Gym reimbursement ($80 per month)
  • Life & ADD (up to $50K)
  • Short & Long term disability
  • 401K with 4% match
  • Health & Dependent Care FSA Accounts
  • Commuter benefits with $250/month employer contribution
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) with monthly employer contribution
  • Family building benefits through Kindbody
  • Wellbeing benefits (One Medical, Rightway, Headspace)
  • L&D budget of $1,500/year
  • Daily lunch and snacks in office
  • Company retreats
 
About Stellar
 
Stellar is more than a blockchain. Powered by a decentralized, fast, scalable, and uniquely sustainable network made for financial products and services and a thriving and passionate ecosystem that includes a non-profit organization driven by a mission, Stellar is paving the path to unlock the world’s economic potential through blockchain technology. Built with speed and low costs in mind, the Stellar network provides builders and financial institutions worldwide a platform to issue assets, and to send and convert currencies in real time creating real world utility. Founded in 2014, the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) supports the continued development and growth of the Stellar network and also serves the ecosystem of NGOs, corporations, universities, small businesses, governments, and solo entrepreneurs building on the Stellar network through tooling, funding and strategic collaborations. Together, Stellar is where blockchain meets the real world.
 
About the Stellar Development Foundation
 
The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) is a non-profit organization focused on working with and supporting changemakers to create equitable access to the global financial system through blockchain technology. SDF provides grants, investments, funding, and other awards to builders and organizations. SDF also develops resources and tooling on the Stellar network to help unlock real world utility. As a nonprofit foundation, SDF puts the health of the Stellar network and the Stellar ecosystem and its mission above all else.
 
We look forward to hearing from you!
 
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SDF is committed to diversity in its workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. SDF does not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal law.

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