Opportunity and challenges

We are looking to assemble a team of best-in-class, innovative and passionate people. We want to gather their talents and skills to achieve one goal: unlock the power of “DNA-write”. We offer the opportunity of joining a dynamic, international and highly skilled team in a pioneering startup. Our Next-Hour DNA Synthesis platforms not only have the potential to change the way the world makes and uses synthetic DNA, but also to accelerate the rate of discovery by delivering upon the promise of same-day results.

DNA Script is actively searching for a General Counsel who will be primarily responsible for advising the management on all legal aspects related to strategic matters as well as current operations. The General Counsel is expected to work alongside with the VP of IP and report directly to the CEO on any legal matter outside the scope of Intellectual Property.

This is an opportunity to join a rapidly growing company and to have a large impact on developing a product portfolio and technology that will have far-reaching impact across biological sciences.

The position will be Paris, France based but will also involve covering remotely US activities.

Responsibilities

• Assessing legal risks and advising executive, senior management and board on various matters such as legal and contractual rights in coordination with VP of IP (including labor law, partnerships, international ventures, corporate finance, equity structure etc.), and new and existing laws.
• Leading or supporting discussions with legal authorities (tax administration, work inspection, construction permits etc.)
• Managing organization’s legal matters in coordination with VP of IP for the IP related subjects.
• Taking part of Board of Director meetings and take care of the corporate matters of the Company.
• Managing legal documentation, maintaining and preserving legal record of the Company
• Being responsible for the general regulatory aspects including data protection, biosecurity, corporate regulations and other general regulations applied to the Company (but excluding regulations related to the product and its commercialization)
• Working in relationship with VP of IP to unsure optimal allocation of legal resources on common projects such as contractual matter, due diligences, partnership or collaboration agreement or grant contracts
• Being responsible for the completion or resolution of any legal related topic inside the organization.
• Coordinating and managing outside legal counsel and being the contact point for the different organizations (excluding IP counsel).
• Examining and creating draft agreements, such as employment, partnerships and vendor or sales agreements.
• Maintaining knowledge of organization’s operations and legal documents.
• Conducting legal research and reviewing company’s litigation strategy pertaining to legal actions.
• Promulgating and creating directives of corporate acts and decisions.
• Handling statutory filings, such as licensing forms.
• Managing the different existing or future entities of the DNA Script Group.

Experience

• Proven experience as a Legal Counsel or General Counsel in business environment with at least 5 years of professional experience
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of corporate law and procedures in France and in the US
• Full understanding of the constraints of a corporation
• Demonstrated ability to create defensive or proactive legal strategies
• Very operational person that will handle personally the different topics and projects
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity
• Sound judgement and ability to analyze situations and information
• Outstanding communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast moving and evolving environment and teams
• Master degree in Law or J.D. degree
• MA or BSc in Business Administration will be considered an advantage;

Phone interview with manager
Day interview with manager, cofounders, HR and the team
References Check
Timing: around 2-3 weeks