Canto is seeking its first in-house legal leader to establish and expand a modern legal department. This role is centered on commercial contracting as a key driver of growth, rather than solely risk mitigation. Reporting to the CFO, the Commercial Counsel will design and manage an AI-enhanced contracting process to speed up deal closure, reduce friction, and support business scalability. Within the first six months, this individual will oversee all contracting operations, implement essential systems and playbooks, and become the primary legal liaison for Sales, Finance, and the executive team. This position is ideal for someone who excels in a building environment and is eager to define excellence in legal operations for a rapidly growing SaaS company.

In this role, the Commercial Counsel will be responsible for negotiating and executing commercial SaaS agreements, including Master Service Agreements (MSAs), subscription agreements, Data Processing Agreements (DPAs), and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). The individual will enforce company positions on non-standard terms and manage escalation processes to improve time-to-signature without increasing legal or commercial risk. Additionally, the role involves training and enabling the Sales team to handle routine negotiations independently, thereby reducing legal bottlenecks at scale. The Commercial Counsel will also lead the end-to-end contracting function for all customer and vendor agreements, building a scalable, AI-enabled operation that reduces manual work and accelerates deal cycles. This includes implementing and managing a Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system, utilizing AI-driven legal tools for contract review, risk flagging, and workflow automation, and actively identifying opportunities to reduce reliance on outside counsel over time.

The ideal candidate will possess a Juris Doctor (JD) and an active bar membership in good standing, with 5–8 years of legal experience in SaaS or technology, either in-house or a combination of law firm and in-house experience. Strong experience negotiating commercial SaaS agreements, including MSAs, subscription agreements, DPAs, and NDAs, is essential. A working knowledge of data privacy frameworks, including GDPR, CCPA, and related regulations, is required. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to operate independently, build processes from scratch, and establish legal infrastructure in a scaling environment. Experience partnering with Sales and go-to-market teams in a high-velocity commercial environment is also important. A clear interest in legal technology and AI-driven workflows, with a commitment to building a modern, tech-enabled legal function, is highly desirable.

Canto offers a comprehensive total compensation package that includes competitive cash compensation, equity, and a range of benefits designed to support the well-being of employees and their families. The company provides benefits designed to support the well-being of employees and their families, allowing them to thrive both personally and professionally. Canto recognizes the importance of taking time off to rest, recharge, and pursue personal interests. Their generous and flexible time-off policies ensure employees have the time they need. The company believes in offering more than just the basics, with perks that include a variety of stipends such as wellness, personal & professional development, home office setup, phone & internet, food & beverage, and more.

Canto fosters a culture of continuous learning, open communication, and hands-on impact. Employees have the opportunity to take on exciting challenges, develop their skills, and grow alongside a company that's making waves in the industry. The company believes in supporting team members, valuing fresh ideas, and celebrating every success together. Canto is growing rapidly and looking for driven individuals who are ready to shape the future with them. The company offers a dynamic team environment where contributions truly matter, and employees can make a difference, expand their expertise, and be part of a global community.