This job is expired. See open roles herePosted Jun 05
Counsel, Crypto
a16z
Est. $92,612 - $240,040 / year
On SiteMenlo Park, California
Andreessen Horowitz (known as "a16z") is a venture capital firm in Silicon Valley, California that backs bold entrepreneurs building the future through technology and we are hiring a Counsel, Crypto. We are stage agnostic. We invest in seed to late-stage technology companies, across the consumer, enterprise, bio/healthcare, crypto, and fintech spaces. a16z has nearly $16.5B in assets under management across multiple funds, including the $1.4B Bio funds , the $865M Crypto funds , and the Cultural Leadership Fund .
We've established a team that is defined by respect for the entrepreneur and the entrepreneurial company building process. We've invested in companies like Airbnb, Apeel, Coinbase, Figma, Freenome, Instacart, Lyft, Slack, and Stripe. Our team is at the forefront of new technology, helping entrepreneurs and their companies impact and change the world.
The Role
a16z invests in the world's leading crypto companies. In many cases, these investments involve novel structures, complex regulatory frameworks, and ongoing engagement from the firm well beyond the moment of investment. a16z is hiring a Counsel, Crypto to help navigate these issues and advise the firm throughout the lifecycle of a typical investment, from initial diligence on new investments, through network participation (e.g. staking and governance), all the way through an eventual exit or liquidity event. Given the unique nature of these investments, and the nascency of the broader market, this individual can expect to have an outsize impact on the execution of a16z's investment strategies.
This individual will be a member of the crypto legal team, reporting directly to the General Counsel of the crypto fund, and will work closely with the crypto deal team on deal execution and diligence. The individual will also work with the Network Operations team to ensure best practices in areas like staking, governance, trading, and other related functions. Finally, the individual will also provide strategic advice to executives in our portfolio and engage with other market participants as appropriate.
To join our team, you should be excited to:
Advise on investments and other commercial transactions: Work with crypto legal and deal teams to execute investment transactions, including by conducting regulatory due diligence, working with outside counsel, and handling other legal and operational matters required to execute investments. Work with and advise the deal team on decisions to sell existing assets. Negotiate and maintain commercial agreements with key vendors and service providers (e.g. staking providers, custodians, exchanges, OTC desks).
Develop expertise on crypto legal and regulatory matters: Understand the investment priorities of the fund to proactively identify and analyze the current legal/regulatory risks and propose how best to mitigate those risks. Stay on top of quickly evolving legal and regulatory developments in this space. In the last year alone, this would have included, for example: public and private litigation; legislative activity in places ranging from the US (including states) to the EU and Asia; guidance from bodies such as the Treasury, CFTC, SEC, FATF, FCA, MAS, and more.
Manage network of external relationships: Cultivate relationships with trade, legal, and related organizations that may further the firm's understanding of the legal environment and best practices across the market.
Engagement with portfolio companies: Work directly with portfolio companies and projects to help them understand and navigate relevant legal, regulatory and compliance issues.
Minimum Qualifications
Passion for crypto and a demonstrated understanding of the industry and key legal issues
JD with 3+ years of experience where you have engaged directly on legal & regulatory issues posed by emerging technologies.
Big law firm and/or in-house experience preferred.
Ability to build and nurture long-term relationships.
Ability to communicate in non-legal jargon and think creatively in a space where some of the rules have yet to be written.
Ability to work closely and strategize with the firm's portfolio company executives to help them navigate a complex regulatory environment.
Please Note: the scope of this role does not encompass the firm's own compliance obligations as a registered investment adviser. This is also not a lobbying function, nor will this person manage political contributions on behalf of the firm.
a16z culture
We do only first class business and only in a first class way
We take a long view of relationships, because we are in the relationship business
We believe in the future and bet the firm that way
We are all different, we recognize that, and we win
We celebrate the good times
We do it for the team
We play to win
At a16z we are always looking to hire the absolute best talent and recognize that diversity in our experiences and backgrounds is what makes us stronger. We hire candidates of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital or family status, disability, Veteran status, and any other status. These differences are what enables us to work towards the future we envision for ourselves, our portfolio companies, and the world.
We've established a team that is defined by respect for the entrepreneur and the entrepreneurial company building process. We've invested in companies like Airbnb, Apeel, Coinbase, Figma, Freenome, Instacart, Lyft, Slack, and Stripe. Our team is at the forefront of new technology, helping entrepreneurs and their companies impact and change the world.
The Role
a16z invests in the world's leading crypto companies. In many cases, these investments involve novel structures, complex regulatory frameworks, and ongoing engagement from the firm well beyond the moment of investment. a16z is hiring a Counsel, Crypto to help navigate these issues and advise the firm throughout the lifecycle of a typical investment, from initial diligence on new investments, through network participation (e.g. staking and governance), all the way through an eventual exit or liquidity event. Given the unique nature of these investments, and the nascency of the broader market, this individual can expect to have an outsize impact on the execution of a16z's investment strategies.
This individual will be a member of the crypto legal team, reporting directly to the General Counsel of the crypto fund, and will work closely with the crypto deal team on deal execution and diligence. The individual will also work with the Network Operations team to ensure best practices in areas like staking, governance, trading, and other related functions. Finally, the individual will also provide strategic advice to executives in our portfolio and engage with other market participants as appropriate.
To join our team, you should be excited to:
Advise on investments and other commercial transactions: Work with crypto legal and deal teams to execute investment transactions, including by conducting regulatory due diligence, working with outside counsel, and handling other legal and operational matters required to execute investments. Work with and advise the deal team on decisions to sell existing assets. Negotiate and maintain commercial agreements with key vendors and service providers (e.g. staking providers, custodians, exchanges, OTC desks).
Develop expertise on crypto legal and regulatory matters: Understand the investment priorities of the fund to proactively identify and analyze the current legal/regulatory risks and propose how best to mitigate those risks. Stay on top of quickly evolving legal and regulatory developments in this space. In the last year alone, this would have included, for example: public and private litigation; legislative activity in places ranging from the US (including states) to the EU and Asia; guidance from bodies such as the Treasury, CFTC, SEC, FATF, FCA, MAS, and more.
Manage network of external relationships: Cultivate relationships with trade, legal, and related organizations that may further the firm's understanding of the legal environment and best practices across the market.
Engagement with portfolio companies: Work directly with portfolio companies and projects to help them understand and navigate relevant legal, regulatory and compliance issues.
Minimum Qualifications
Passion for crypto and a demonstrated understanding of the industry and key legal issues
JD with 3+ years of experience where you have engaged directly on legal & regulatory issues posed by emerging technologies.
Big law firm and/or in-house experience preferred.
Ability to build and nurture long-term relationships.
Ability to communicate in non-legal jargon and think creatively in a space where some of the rules have yet to be written.
Ability to work closely and strategize with the firm's portfolio company executives to help them navigate a complex regulatory environment.
Please Note: the scope of this role does not encompass the firm's own compliance obligations as a registered investment adviser. This is also not a lobbying function, nor will this person manage political contributions on behalf of the firm.
a16z culture
We do only first class business and only in a first class way
We take a long view of relationships, because we are in the relationship business
We believe in the future and bet the firm that way
We are all different, we recognize that, and we win
We celebrate the good times
We do it for the team
We play to win
At a16z we are always looking to hire the absolute best talent and recognize that diversity in our experiences and backgrounds is what makes us stronger. We hire candidates of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital or family status, disability, Veteran status, and any other status. These differences are what enables us to work towards the future we envision for ourselves, our portfolio companies, and the world.
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