Commercial Counsel (In-house)

With 500+ professionals and 350+ business professionals, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP (www.manatt.com), is a multidisciplinary, integrated national professional services firm known for quality and an extraordinary commitment to clients. The Firm’s groundbreaking approach—bringing together legal services, advocacy and business strategy—differentiates Manatt from its competitors and positions the Firm to provide a distinct and compelling value proposition.

Opportunity

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP is seeking a Commercial Contracts Counsel to join its Legal and Risk Management team, serving as counsel to the firm. This pivotal role is responsible for leading the firm’s third-party contract review process, overseeing contract workflow including drafting, editing, reviewing, and negotiating key contractual terms. The Commercial Contracts Counsel will draft and update policies and procedures governing the firm’s contract review, negotiation, and execution processes. Acting as a liaison between the Procurement and Operations teams, Legal and Risk Management, and the firm’s attorneys and professional staff, the council will facilitate vendor and service provider contract reviews. Contract types handled include software/SAAS (including AI), cloud services, purchase agreements, subscription agreements, data protection agreements, as well as event, sponsorship, and site-related agreements. This role will not be a billing professional but will be a Business Professional role and sit within the Legal and Risk Management department.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of vendor and service provider contracts, including software/SaaS (including AI), cloud services, purchase agreements, subscription agreements, data protection agreements, and event, sponsorship, and site-related agreements.

• Lead and collaborate throughout the contract review process, analyzing significant business, financial, and legal risks and aligning contract terms with Firm policies and risk tolerance.

• Develop, maintain, and implement contracting playbooks, templates, and workflows to support efficient and consistent contract review processes.

• Identify potential compliance vulnerabilities and risk areas; develop and implement corrective action plans to resolve problematic issues.

• Provide guidance to the Procurement team and work closely with the General Counsel’s Office and Firm attorneys.

• Develop and implement creative solutions and mitigation strategies for key negotiation points.

• Apply advanced knowledge of contract law, Firm policies, and industry best practices to protect the Firm’s interests.

• Track and incorporate Firm policy decisions and risk management practices into contract terms.

• Support the Firm’s cyber-security insurance program and related risk management initiatives.

• Assist with governance matters and legal and regulatory compliance issues.

• Participate in special projects and other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree and active bar membership in good standing.

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts in an in-house or law firm setting

• Demonstrated expertise in software/SaaS agreements (including AI SaaS products), purchase agreements, subscription agreements, professional services agreements, and NDAs

• Strong knowledge of legal concepts, processes, and industry practices applicable to commercial contracts

• Strong Outlook, Excel and Word skills required

• Effective and succinct oral communication and clear and concise written communication

• Effective analytical, logical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities

• Experience with legal ethics and privilege issues

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Possess exceptional judgement, professionalism and confidentiality

• Ability to demonstrate strategic focus, define goals and follow through to achieve results

• Possess reliability, dependability and motivation

• Commitment to exceptional internal and external client service

• Experience with privacy and data protection laws is a plus

• Demonstrated reliability and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a hybrid (remote and in-office) team environment. The Firm operates on a hybrid work schedule requiring in-office presence Tuesday through Thursday, with optional remote work permitted on Mondays and Fridays. All employees must remain available for onsite work up to five days per week as business needs dictate. This schedule is subject to change; flexibility is required

The base annual pay range for this role is between $180,000–$240,000. The base pay to be offered will vary and depend on skills and qualifications, experience and location. A full range of medical, financial and/or other benefits dependent on the position will also be offered.

EEO/AA EMPLOYER/Veterans/Disabled

Manatt is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, physical or mental disability, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex or gender (including gender identity, gender expression, status as a transgender or transsexual individual, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (over 40), genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, sexual orientation, political activity or affiliation, genetic or and any other protected classes or characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the American Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.