Commercial Counsel
Black Forest Labs is seeking a Commercial Counsel to join our legal team. As a pioneering startup in generative image and video models, we have developed technologies like Stable Diffusion, Stable Video Diffusion, and FLUX.1. This role offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of AI innovation, providing legal support for our expanding commercial operations.
The Commercial Counsel will be responsible for drafting and negotiating a variety of commercial agreements, including API licensing, enterprise SaaS, model access and deployment, partnerships, vendor agreements, and NDAs. The role involves supporting both US and EU commercial transactions, with a primary focus on US deals across various industry verticals. Collaboration with teams such as Go-To-Market, Marketing, Finance, and Infrastructure is essential to provide practical legal guidance. Additionally, the counsel will advise on AI-specific legal considerations, including intellectual property ownership, licensing, training data rights, and evolving regulatory requirements for generative AI.
Candidates should have at least 7 years of legal experience, with a background in commercial transactions within the technology sector. Experience in both in-house and external legal roles is preferred, particularly within startups or high-growth companies. Proficiency in negotiating complex technology agreements, such as software licensing and platform deals, is required. Familiarity with both US and EU commercial transactions and the ability to navigate cross-border deals is important. Strong drafting and negotiation skills, along with the capacity to communicate legal issues clearly to non-legal stakeholders, are essential.
While not mandatory, experience with AI/ML technologies, developer platforms, or foundational model licensing is advantageous. A Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one US jurisdiction are required; qualifications in a UK or EU jurisdiction are highly preferred. Knowledge of German corporate law, the EU AI Act, GDPR, or other international regulatory frameworks relevant to AI and data is beneficial.
Black Forest Labs offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth. We value research excellence, open science, and technology that enhances human creativity. Our team is distributed, with offices in Freiburg, Germany, and San Francisco, California, and we support flexible work arrangements to foster collaboration and innovation.