General Counsel

About this role

<div class="content-intro"><p><strong>An Introduction to Codal</strong></p> <p>Codal is an award-winning web design and development consultancy that helps enterprise organizations solve complex problems and accelerate growth through elegant, data-driven digital solutions. Our areas of expertise include application modernization, eCommerce, UX/UI design, product strategy, data analytics, and artificial intelligence.</p> <p>At Codal, you will collaborate with some of the most innovative organizations in the world and work on cutting-edge technologies that push the boundaries of design and software development. We promote long-term success, not just for our clients but for our team, helping you develop a professional roadmap that takes your career to new heights.</p></div><p><strong>Position Overview</strong></p> <p>The General Counsel serves as the primary legal advisor to leadership. This role is responsible for all legal matters affecting the company, including commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, employment law, corporate governance, and risk management. Reporting to the COO, the GC will build and lead the legal function while supporting a fast-paced, international technology services business.</p> <p>The ideal candidate is a pragmatic, business-minded attorney who can balance legal rigor with commercial reality. You're comfortable being the go-to resource for everything legal, enjoy variety, and thrive in an environment where you're building infrastructure while simultaneously handling day-to-day matters.<br><br>Please note: this role is only open to candidates in <strong>Chicago and the Chicagoland area. </strong></p> <hr> <p><strong>What you’ll be doing</strong></p> <h4><strong>Legal Leadership</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Serve as in-house attorney and primary legal advisor to leadership on commercial, regulatory, employment, and corporate matters</li> <li>Build, manage, and mentor a lean legal team; coordinate with outside counsel across the US, Canada, the UK, and India</li> <li>Draft, negotiate, and structure commercial agreements, including MSAs, SOWs, NDAs, and partnership agreements with enterprise and Fortune 500 clients</li> <li>Develop and maintain contract templates, playbooks, and self-service resources that enable efficient deal flow</li> <li>Advise on data privacy and regulatory compliance, including HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, and SOC 2 requirements</li> <li>Manage employment law matters across multiple jurisdictions, including handbooks, policies, and workplace investigations</li> <li>Oversee corporate governance, entity management, and international subsidiary compliance</li> <li>Identify and mitigate legal and business risks; advise leadership on risk exposure</li> <li>Support M&A activity, commercial real estate transactions, and other corporate matters as they arise</li> </ul> <p><strong>What you’ll need to be successful (Required Qualifications)</strong></p> <ul> <li>J.D. from an accredited law school; active bar admission </li> <li>8 + years of legal experience, with significant in-house technology experience</li> <li>Strong commercial contracts expertise, particularly in software/ technology services</li> <li>Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects beyond traditional legal scope</li> <li>Excellent judgment, communication skills, and executive presence </li> <li>Comfortable operating with autonomy in a fast-paced environment</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Qualifications</strong></p> <ul> <li>Experience working with digital consulting strongly preferred</li> <li>Experience with working at tech consulting firms </li> <li>Background advising on technology implementations </li> <li>Privacy certifications or relevant technical training</li> <li>Experience at a multinational company</li> <li>Experience with regulated industries (healthcare, government, financial services)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Need another reason to hit the “apply” button?</strong></p> <ul> <li>Codal is a global agency with over 200 employees and offices in the US, Canada, the UK, and India </li> <li>We offer Medical, Life, Dental/Vision, and many more insurance types </li> <li>Employer 401k match - 4% </li> <li>An office in the heart of downtown Chicago with a gym, food court, rooftop bar, outdoor sports court, and other amenities</li> <li>Working hybrid for in-person collaboration and sprint-planning days</li> <li>Office snacks and drinks + a fancy Bevi water machine with flavored water </li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p>We continually review ranges to address skills, experience and markets. Base salaries are determined during our interview process, by assessing a number of factors that include but aren’t limited to, a candidate’s experience and skills relative to the scope and responsibilities of the position</p></div><div class="title">Pay range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$150,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$300,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p>Note:…