Principal Counsel, Corporate
$250,000–$350,000 year
On-siteSan Francisco, California, United States
Job Summary
Lead corporate governance for Perplexity and subsidiaries, managing board preparation, minutes, resolutions, and organizational documents as the company scales globally. Structure, draft, and negotiate equity and debt financings from term sheet through closing, while owning secondary transactions, liquidity programs, and related stockholder communications. Partner with Finance, Accounting, Tax, and People teams on equity compensation, cap-table administration, and option grant processes. Support M&A, acquihires, and strategic investments by structuring deals, conducting diligence, negotiating definitive agreements, and managing outside counsel. Build and scale corporate legal infrastructure, including precedent libraries, template systems, and entity management workflows for domestic and international expansion. Monitor legal developments affecting private-company governance and translate them into practical guidance for the executive team and board.
Required Qualifications
- JD and in good standing with an active US state bar membership, or eligible to register as in-house counsel in California
- At least 9+ years of law firm and/or in-house experience
- Track record leading venture or growth equity financings, secondary transactions, and corporate governance for high-growth private technology companies
- Deep familiarity with cap-table mechanics, equity compensation administration, and charter and stockholder agreement provisions, with the precision to reconcile numbers before they reach the board
- Strong business acumen and ability to partner with finance, accounting, people, and executive stakeholders
- An ability to communicate clearly with business and technical audiences and effectively translate legal concepts for non-lawyers
- Hands-on attitude to tackle projects large and small, low-ego approach to working across the organization
- Positive collaborative attitude, comfort with change and a fast pace, high level of integrity, and intellectual curiosity
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
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