Legal Counsel

Summary

Join Alpaca, a leading brokerage infrastructure technology company, as a Legal Counsel and contribute to shaping the future of brokerage infrastructure. This role requires deep broker-dealer regulatory expertise and thrives in a fast-paced environment. You will navigate complex regulatory frameworks, lead legal reviews, support various business areas, advise on legal requirements, and monitor regulatory developments. The position also involves drafting agreements, conducting legal research, and partnering with cross-functional teams. Alpaca offers competitive salary and stock options, along with comprehensive benefits including health insurance, a new hire home-office setup, and a monthly stipend.

Requirements

• J.D. degree (or foreign equivalent) and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar
• 5+ years of legal experience, with at least 3 years focused on U.S. broker-dealer regulation (under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, regulations and rules thereunder, FINRA rules and other federal and state securities laws)
• Familiarity with U.S. cryptoasset regulatory regimes (e.g., SEC, CFTC, NYDFS, FinCEN, AML)
• Strong experience advising fintechs or financial institutions, ideally in a startup or growth-stage environment
• Demonstrated ability to deliver strategic, business-oriented legal advice under tight deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a practical, collaborative working style
• Strong judgment, self-motivation, and the ability to work independently and manage multiple projects
• Comfort with ambiguity and a growth mindset in a fast-scaling company

Responsibilities

• Navigating complex regulatory frameworks to help the business design and implement innovative financial products and services
• Leading legal reviews of product design, marketing, and customer onboarding processes to ensure compliance with regulations while enabling business growth
• Supporting other areas of the business, such as digital assets and payments, as needed
• Advising on the application of new or anticipated legal requirements and regulatory guidance to the firm's systems, policies and procedures
• Monitoring regulatory developments at relevant governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations, including the SEC, FINRA, CFTC, FinCEN and OFAC
• Support the company’s engagement with regulators including the SEC, FINRA, and other agencies
• Drafting agreements, disclosures, policies and procedures
• Conduct legal research and analysis on novel questions, and provide clear, practical guidance to internal stakeholders
• Partnering cross-functionally with teams outside of Legal, including the firm’s Product, Brokerage, Crypto, Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering, Sales and Success functions

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in a financial services regulatory agency or a sophisticated regulatory practice within a major law firm

Benefits

• Competitive Salary & Stock Options
• Benefits: Health benefits start on day 1. In the US this includes Medical, Dental, Vision. In Canada, this includes supplemental health care. In Japan, you are offered local benefits. Internationally, this includes a stipend value to offset medical costs
• New Hire Home-Office Setup: One-time USD $500
• Monthly Stipend: USD $150 per month via a Brex Card