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Company Description

Oath is a leading microbial sciences company that utilizes microbes and plants to offer innovative solutions to some of the most critical challenges facing our planet - the climate crisis and the shift to sustainable agriculture. We imagine a world where these crises are not just alleviated, but reversed, replenishing Earth's microbiomes. By leveraging the latest science-based insights, Oath provides a natural soil inoculant solution that fosters a healthier and more sustainable world for future generations.

When you join Oath, you become part of a collaborative network that prioritizes conducting high-quality scientific research. You will have access to a team of highly trained scientists, study directors, and a wide network of collaborators, enabling you to integrate and enhance your existing skill set.

Position Summary

As General Counsel, you will play an essential role in driving day-to-day legal operations for Oath and its sister organizations. A shared services role, you will advise across new companies within the incubator, which are synergistic to Oath with adjacent technologies. You will provide strategic advice and legal counsel on various issues including corporate, contract, and regulatory concerns. This role will own critical in-licensing deals to help launch Oath and its other entities into key negotiations. Additionally, the General Counsel will be responsible for drafting, negotiating, and approval of transactional agreements . As sole in-house, the GC will regularly manage the needs of Oath’s external legal partners across a multitude of projects.   

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal advice and serve as a trusted strategic partner to a variety of internal teams in a manner that advances client's business strategies while addressing legal risks and protecting the Company’s integrity and reputation;
• Draft, negotiate, and finalize a variety of legal agreements, involvement in the contracting process, and provide post-execution advice and counsel to internal clients on contractual obligations; 
• Act as a repository of all contracts (partnership agreements, channel-sale, distribution agreements); perform legal research, review, and prepare contracts
• Manage and partner with outside counsel on a variety of projects as sole in-house GC, including all financing 
• Provide shared in-house GC counsel for Oath Intelligence, Oath Africa and other opportunities (shared services agreements with Oath)
• Assist in legal due diligence initiatives relating to possible transactions;
• Partner with colleagues in executing and enhancing Company objectives;
• Support and work closely with senior management on all legal, regulatory and business matters; support all company legal, regulatory and business matters

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school; admitted into practice and in good standing in New York or California (strongly preferred)
• 3-5+ years of experience is required, ideally supporting the life sciences industry in a high-growth VC-backed environment, dynamic law firm setting with an IP focus, or as a member of a legal department in a pharmaceutical/biotech company;
• Strong management of in-licensing agreements in life sciences space;
• Breadth of experience that covers employment law;
• Global experience to support set up of entities in different locations
• Strong drafting and communication skills, and an ability to maintain a high level of attention to detail without losing sight of the big picture;
• Commitment to client service, finding solutions, relationship building, continued learning, proactivity and confidentiality;
• Strong understanding of the concepts, terminology and interdependencies that are important in the research-based biotech industry, including with respect to intellectual property rights;
• Excellent interpersonal skills that are demonstrated by being articulate, direct and forthright, and serving as a collaborative and decisive team member and a strategic thinker with a broad perspective;
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple matters simultaneously and to respond to rapidly shifting priorities in ambiguous or challenging situations;
• Demonstrated ability to own projects and consistently meet tight timing requirements and high-quality standards;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including proven ability to interact and communicate effectively with individuals from multiple departments at all levels of the organization;
• Ability to handle confidential and proprietary information using impeccable discretion and judgment;
• Strong organizational skills, with the experience and ability in managing and filing all corporate files, IP portfolios, and internal files

Location:   Remote or Hybrid; MUST be local to the San Francisco Bay area.