Whistler Partners is partnering with a rapidly scaling unicorn technology company delivering next-generation capabilities to the defense and critical industrial sectors. The company has raised substantial funding from leading venture investors and is positioned for significant continued growth. As the business scales production and expands its commercial footprint, the legal team is looking to add its third legal hire.
This is a rare opportunity for a commercial contracts attorney who wants to join an ambitious, highly technical company at a meaningful inflection point.
Why this role?
This is not a narrow contracts seat inside a mature legal department. It is an opportunity to help build the legal function at a high-growth defense tech company while taking ownership of core supplier, vendor, and commercial contracting work. The right candidate will work closely with the business as the company scales production, negotiates key commercial relationships, and builds the legal infrastructure needed to support rapid growth. Startup experience is helpful, but the company is open to someone coming directly from BigLaw with strong commercial judgment and the appetite to operate in a faster-moving environment. For someone who wants to be close to the business, build alongside a small legal team, and get meaningful equity upside, this is a compelling in-house move.
Key Responsibilities
- Own supplier and vendor contracting as the company scales production.
- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, NDAs, vendor agreements, supplier agreements, and related business agreements.
- Negotiate terms and conditions with external counterparties.
- Partner closely with business teams on commercial, operational, and legal issues.
- Support the continued buildout of the legal function as an early legal team member.
- Assist with employment-related matters as needed.
Top Requirements
- JD with 4–7 years of experience at a law firm, in-house legal department, or both.
- Strong background in commercial contracts, NDAs, vendor agreements, supplier agreements, and related agreements.
- Ability to independently manage supplier and vendor contracting.
- Strong business judgment and comfort working with operational teams.
- Startup experience preferred, but not required.
- Prior employment experience is a plus, but not required.
- Interest in defense tech, advanced technology, industrial innovation, and high-growth company environments.
Compensation
- $200,000–$250,000 base compensation.
- Generous pre-IPO stock option grants.
Benefits & Perks
- 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Life insurance, FSA, HSA, and 401(k) with company match.
- Unlimited PTO.
- Hybrid work schedule.
TL;DR
High-growth defense tech unicorn hiring its third legal team member. Strong fit for a 4th–7th year commercial contracts attorney who can own supplier and vendor agreements as the company scales production. Startup experience preferred, but BigLaw candidates will be considered. Strong base, generous pre-IPO equity, and real legal-function-building exposure.
About Whistler Partners
Matchmakers, Not Headhunters
Whistler Partners is a boutique matchmaking firm focused on counseling the best and the brightest attorneys over the course of their careers. We believe that the right move comes from working closely with talent to curate their long-term career paths. When it comes to career advice, what matters is not the size of the agency but the strength of your individual recruiter.
We readily admit that we are elite and only work with the best – after all, a little elitism is okay when it comes to your career. Employers love us because we are picky about whom we represent, and attorneys love us because we get them their dream jobs.
Interested?
This search is being led by Allison Hill at Whistler Partners. Please contact them for a confidential conversation.