In-House Litigator, San Francisco
About the Company
Autzu is building the future of urban mobility through sustainable, autonomous electric vehicle fleets. As we expand our operations into new markets, we are seeking a trusted legal partner to guide us through complex commercial disputes, regulatory matters, and high-stakes negotiations.
About the Role
We are hiring a Commercial Litigator with a strong background in complex commercial and employment litigation and contract negotiations. This is a full-time role in San Francisco. The ideal candidate will have both the litigation depth to manage disputes and the commercial acumen to proactively advise leadership on business strategy. Bar admission in California is required; admission in New York is highly preferred (or a willingness and ability to sit for the NY Bar).
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage complex commercial litigation matters, from pre-dispute strategy through resolution, coordinating with outside counsel when necessary.
- Serve as a commercial negotiator across site/utility agreements, equipment finance contracts, and vendor partnerships.
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts (including NDAs, employment agreements, SaaS/vendor contracts, and regulatory filings).
- Provide legal guidance to leadership on commercial, regulatory, and operational issues, particularly around fleet operations, utilities, and infrastructure.
- Develop internal legal templates, policies, and SOPs to streamline dispute resolution and compliance.
- Proactively identify and mitigate legal risks across departments (operations, HR, fleet, finance).
- Support fundraising and investor diligence processes with legal documentation and risk assessment.
- Collaborate with the CEO, COO, and other C-suite leaders on long-term market strategy.
Qualifications
- JD from an accredited U.S. law school.
- Active membership in the California Bar (required).
- Admission to the New York Bar or ability/willingness to sit for the exam (strongly preferred).
- Minimum 3 years of experience in complex commercial litigation at a top law firm or in-house.
- Demonstrated success in negotiating high-value, multi-party agreements.
- Experience with utilities, infrastructure, or regulatory matters strongly preferred.
- Strong advocacy, communication, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment.
Required Skills
- Strong advocacy, communication, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with utilities, infrastructure, or regulatory matters strongly preferred
Equal Opportunity Statement
Autzu is committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.