Corporate Counsel

Cardless is transforming the credit card landscape by empowering innovative brands to offer their customers world-class, digital-first, and seamlessly integrated credit card experiences. Cardless is a Forbes Fintech 50 (2026). We are looking for an exceptional Corporate Counsel to support our commercial and capital markets operations and who gets excited about leveraging AI to build scalable legal processes that can grow with the business.

Reporting to the General Counsel, the Corporate Counsel will serve as a critical legal partner advising on a broad range of commercial and financing transactions and related matters. This is a high-ownership role suited for a structured, detail-oriented, and impact-driven attorney who thrives in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Cross-functional legal advisor; build strong internal relationships and provide practical, solutions-oriented counsel.

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements across all categories, including bank program agreements, co-brand partnership agreements, vendor/SaaS agreements, and DPAs.

• Manage capital markets transactions, including forward flow transactions, warehouse credit facilities, and securitizations, in close collaboration with Finance and with targeted support from outside counsel.

• Test and implement AI tools to automate as many workflows as possible (e.g., contract review, CLM); build contract and transaction playbooks to support these workflows.

• Manage relationships with outside counsel on specialized matters, keeping work on budget and on scope.

• Additional projects and duties based on the evolving needs of the business.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school; active bar membership (New York or California preferred).

• 8+ years of legal experience, with meaningful time at a top-tier law firm (corporate/finance transactional practice) followed by in-house experience at a high-growth technology or fintech company.

• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements in financial services, fintech, or technology sectors.

• Familiarity with bank partner program structures and capital markets transactions in the fintech space (e.g., forward flow transactions, warehouse facilities, securitizations).

• Strong deal instincts and commercial judgment; ability to identify and escalate material legal and business risks.

• Experience with contract management platforms and AI legal technology, including AI-assisted drafting tools.

• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage a high-volume, multi-workstream portfolio.

• Can-do attitude and a willingness to jump in where needed – no job is too big or too small and some may not exactly fit in the four corners of this job description.

Compensation & Benefits

Annual Salary Range: This role has an annual starting salary range of $240,000 - $290,000 + equity + benefits. Actual compensation and title will be based on skills and experience.

Benefits include:

💸 Meaningful Start-up equity

🏥 100% health, vision & dental primary coverage

➕ 75% health, vision & dental dependent coverage

🍱 Catered lunches

🚎 $250/month Commuter benefit

👶 Parental leave

✈️ Team building events & happy hours

🌴 Flexible PTO with a minimum of 15 days off per year

🖥️ Apple equipment

💸 401k plan

Location

We’re headquartered in San Francisco, CA (Financial District). This role is expected to be primarily on-site. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.

We regularly bring our team together for offsites & trips, about every 2 months, both for fun and for work. We cover all travel & lodging in these cases.