Legal Counsel Jobs in California
Legal Counsel jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, with demand concentrated in technology, entertainment, healthcare, and financial services and openings at every level from junior associate counsel through senior vice president. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego account for the largest share of postings, where major employers like Apple, Google, and Kaiser Permanente maintain substantial in-house legal teams. The most sought-after specialties in California are privacy and data security law, intellectual property, employment law, and regulatory compliance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Legal Counsel JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 103+ Legal Counsel jobs
At myKaarma, we’re not just leading the way in fixed ops solutions for the automotive industry—we’re redefining what’s possible for dealership service centers. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and powered by a global team, our industry-leading SaaS platform combines communication, scheduling, and payment tools in one seamless solution that keeps dealerships and vehicle owners connected. With myKaarma, every service interaction flows effortlessly, bringing good karma to customers and service teams.
Rooted in the principles of the Toyota Production System, we operate with precision, efficiency, and a relentless focus on continuous improvement to deliver a better experience for all. We’re looking for innovators, problem-solvers, and tech enthusiasts passionate about building solutions people love to use. If you’re ready to make an impact in an industry ripe for change, join us at myKaarma and help shape the future of automotive service.
At myKaarma, exceptional customer interactions are the cornerstone of our success. Our platform is meticulously engineered to communicate with customers at every aspect of the service, repair, and maintenance journey, ensuring positive and memorable experiences.
Role Description:
You will report to the SVP of Finance, with direct access to the CEO and executive team, and work closely with Sales, Product, Finance, and Engineering. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who drives projects forward on their own, communicates in plain business language rather than legalese, and understands that legal's job is to enable deals, not just prevent risk. You should be equally comfortable negotiating a complex OEM master license agreement, coordinating with outside antitrust counsel, drafting a patent disclosure, and advising HR on a no-hire compliance question, all in the same week.
This is not a "wait for instructions" role. We need someone who proactively identifies legal issues before they become problems, presents consolidated decision packages (not fragmented emails), and builds systems that make the whole company more efficient.
Key Responsibilities:
Commercial Contracts & Negotiation
- Draft and negotiate SaaS agreements, MSAs, NDAs, DPAs, SOWs, and OEM, partner, and vendor agreements.
- Own the contract lifecycle, redline to signature to filing, in Ironclad and DocuSign.
- Close OEM and dealer group deals fast without giving away the store.
- Build templates, clause libraries, and pre-approved positions that shrink deal cycles.
- Give leadership clear, fast calls on contract risk.
Data Privacy & Regulatory Compliance
- Keep voice, text, and email compliant with TCPA, DNC, CAN-SPAM, and state law.
- Own privacy compliance: CCPA, GDPR, state laws, retention, consent, and cross-border transfers.
- Build privacy into the product with Product and Engineering, before launch, not after.
- Negotiate DPAs with OEMs, dealer groups, and vendors, including AI disclosures.
- Set controller/processor roles and DPO designations in OEM agreements.
IP & Patent Management
- Run the patent portfolio with outside patent counsel and international agents.
- Turn engineering know-how into filed patent disclosures.
- Never miss a maintenance fee or filing deadline.
- Protect trademarks, copyrights, proprietary tools, and co-developed partner solutions.
Outside Counsel Management
- Direct outside counsel across antitrust, patents, litigation, and M&A.
- Structure engagements to protect privilege.
- Brief counsel with tight fact summaries and gather the internal facts they need.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Run pre-litigation: demand letters, recovery assessments, and strategy.
- Lead fact-finding and evidence gathering for partner and vendor disputes.
- Decide when to negotiate, when to demand, and when to escalate.
Employment Law & HR Advisory
- Advise HR on no-hire, non-solicit, and candidate rejection protocols.
- Operationalize multi-state employment requirements, California first.
- Keep recruiting compliant with customer hiring restrictions.
Antitrust & Competition Law
- Support antitrust analysis with outside counsel on data access and platform interoperability.
- Write the fact summaries and memos counsel needs.
- Keep partner communications and API policies competition-law defensible.
Legal Operations & Infrastructure
- Build the legal operating system: playbooks, templates, CLM, and compliance tracking, including non-standard terms.
- Write policies and run training on communications, privacy, IP, and risk.
- Keep a clean, version-controlled legal repository in Google Drive.
- Make sure no time-sensitive legal notice ever sits unopened.
Key Opportunities
- Build Legal Infrastructure for Scale: Create playbooks, templates, and contract systems to support rapid growth with discipline. Establish the legal operating system that will carry myKaarma through its next phase.
- OEM Partnership Velocity: Streamline contracting for large dealer groups, OEMs, and third-party partners without compromising legal quality, while presenting consolidated decision packages to leadership.
- Deal Closure Acceleration: Support redlining, approvals, and negotiation to compress deal cycles and protect business outcomes.
- Communications Compliance Leadership: Ensure regulatory compliance across TCPA, Do-Not-Call, CAN-SPAM, and state-level communication laws across voice, text, and email.
- Cross-Functional Influence: Be the go-to advisor for legal and regulatory matters across product, sales, marketing, and customer operations, translating legal concepts into plain business language people can act on.
- IP Portfolio Development: Drive patent projects forward with momentum, coordinating inventors and outside counsel to move from disclosure to filing efficiently.
- Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify and address emerging risks in contracts, customer communications, and product releases before they need executive escalation.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- JD from an accredited law school; licensed to practice in a U.S. jurisdiction (California preferred).
- 5+ years of experience, with at least 1-2 years in-house at a technology/SaaS company.
- Proven ability to independently manage the full contract lifecycle, from drafting through negotiation and execution, including with enterprise customers and large OEMs.
- Direct experience with data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA, state privacy laws) and communications regulations (TCPA, CAN-SPAM, DNC).
- Experience coordinating with and managing outside counsel across multiple practice areas.
- Comfort with CLM tools (Ironclad) and electronic contracting platforms.
- Fluency with Google Workspace as the primary collaboration environment.
- Excellent judgment in balancing legal risk with business needs; knows when a simple business email beats a legal memo.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to explain legal issues clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
Nice to Have Skills & Qualifications
- Antitrust/competition law experience, in-house or at a firm.
- IP/patent portfolio management, including USPTO processes and coordination with patent agents.
- Employment law background, including non-solicitation agreements and multi-state hiring compliance.
- Litigation management or dispute resolution (demand letters, pre-litigation strategy, evidence coordination).
- Automotive or franchised dealer experience, particularly with DMS providers, OEM programs, or dealership technology vendors.
- Experience as sole or primary counsel at a fast-growing company, handling a high-volume, multi-stakeholder workload.
We know great candidates don't always match every requirement. If this role excites you and your experience aligns with many of the qualifications, we'd encourage you to apply. Skills can be learned—we also value curiosity, ownership, and a willingness to grow.
A Week in the Role
- Monday: A dealer group wants special terms outside our standard procedures. You redline, set up compliance tracking in Ironclad, and send leadership a one-page Summary / Ask / Detail memo with your call.
- Tuesday: An OEM's DPA adds new AI disclosure demands. You propose workable language and get the deal moving.
- Wednesday: A new texting workflow ships Friday. You clear the consent flow against TCPA and state rules first.
- Thursday: You turn an engineer's whiteboard sketch into a patent disclosure and brief outside counsel.
- Friday: HR asks if a dealership candidate is covered by a no-hire clause. Two-line answer, no memo.
Total Rewards at myKaarma
At myKaarma, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that extends beyond the base salary. Our commitment to competitive compensation includes bonuses and benefits that support both personal and professional well-being:
- Flexible Work Environment: We embrace a high-performance, flexible structure that values freedom and responsibility. Our “Highly Aligned, Loosely Coupled” model empowers teams to innovate and continuously improve using data-driven insights.
- Health and Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits, along with wellness and telework stipends.
- Time Off: Generous vacation time to recharge and balance life outside work.
- In-Office Perks: Enjoy dog-friendly offices and unlimited snacks or refreshments onsite.
The starting salary range for this role is $150,000 to $175,000, depending on experience and qualifications, reflecting our dedication to competitive industry compensation. Additional details about our Total Rewards package will be shared during recruitment.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
At myKaarma, diverse perspectives drive innovation and success. We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued and empowered and can do meaningful work. Our mission to deliver exceptional solutions to our clients is strengthened by the unique contributions and perspectives of our team members from all backgrounds.
As an equal opportunity employer, myKaarma prohibits any form of unlawful discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, family or parental status, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable laws in the regions where we operate. We adhere to all EEOC regulations and actively promote an environment that celebrates and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion for all.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. Reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on myKaarma. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process by filling out this form.
myKaarma participates in the E-Verify Program.
myKaarma considers candidates requiring work authorization on a case-by-case basis. Sponsorship may be available for exceptional candidates depending on role requirements and business need
The pay range for this role is:
150,000 - 175,000 USD per year(Long Beach Office)
At myKaarma, we’re not just leading the way in fixed ops solutions for the automotive industry—we’re redefining what’s possible for dealership service centers. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and powered by a global team, our industry-leading SaaS platform combines communication, scheduling, and payment tools in one seamless solution that keeps dealerships and vehicle owners connected. With myKaarma, every service interaction flows effortlessly, bringing good karma to customers and service teams.
Rooted in the principles of the Toyota Production System, we operate with precision, efficiency, and a relentless focus on continuous improvement to deliver a better experience for all. We’re looking for innovators, problem-solvers, and tech enthusiasts passionate about building solutions people love to use. If you’re ready to make an impact in an industry ripe for change, join us at myKaarma and help shape the future of automotive service.
At myKaarma, exceptional customer interactions are the cornerstone of our success. Our platform is meticulously engineered to communicate with customers at every aspect of the service, repair, and maintenance journey, ensuring positive and memorable experiences.
Role Description:
You will report to the SVP of Finance, with direct access to the CEO and executive team, and work closely with Sales, Product, Finance, and Engineering. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who drives projects forward on their own, communicates in plain business language rather than legalese, and understands that legal's job is to enable deals, not just prevent risk. You should be equally comfortable negotiating a complex OEM master license agreement, coordinating with outside antitrust counsel, drafting a patent disclosure, and advising HR on a no-hire compliance question, all in the same week.
This is not a "wait for instructions" role. We need someone who proactively identifies legal issues before they become problems, presents consolidated decision packages (not fragmented emails), and builds systems that make the whole company more efficient.
Key Responsibilities:
Commercial Contracts & Negotiation
- Draft and negotiate SaaS agreements, MSAs, NDAs, DPAs, SOWs, and OEM, partner, and vendor agreements.
- Own the contract lifecycle, redline to signature to filing, in Ironclad and DocuSign.
- Close OEM and dealer group deals fast without giving away the store.
- Build templates, clause libraries, and pre-approved positions that shrink deal cycles.
- Give leadership clear, fast calls on contract risk.
Data Privacy & Regulatory Compliance
- Keep voice, text, and email compliant with TCPA, DNC, CAN-SPAM, and state law.
- Own privacy compliance: CCPA, GDPR, state laws, retention, consent, and cross-border transfers.
- Build privacy into the product with Product and Engineering, before launch, not after.
- Negotiate DPAs with OEMs, dealer groups, and vendors, including AI disclosures.
- Set controller/processor roles and DPO designations in OEM agreements.
IP & Patent Management
- Run the patent portfolio with outside patent counsel and international agents.
- Turn engineering know-how into filed patent disclosures.
- Never miss a maintenance fee or filing deadline.
- Protect trademarks, copyrights, proprietary tools, and co-developed partner solutions.
Outside Counsel Management
- Direct outside counsel across antitrust, patents, litigation, and M&A.
- Structure engagements to protect privilege.
- Brief counsel with tight fact summaries and gather the internal facts they need.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Run pre-litigation: demand letters, recovery assessments, and strategy.
- Lead fact-finding and evidence gathering for partner and vendor disputes.
- Decide when to negotiate, when to demand, and when to escalate.
Employment Law & HR Advisory
- Advise HR on no-hire, non-solicit, and candidate rejection protocols.
- Operationalize multi-state employment requirements, California first.
- Keep recruiting compliant with customer hiring restrictions.
Antitrust & Competition Law
- Support antitrust analysis with outside counsel on data access and platform interoperability.
- Write the fact summaries and memos counsel needs.
- Keep partner communications and API policies competition-law defensible.
Legal Operations & Infrastructure
- Build the legal operating system: playbooks, templates, CLM, and compliance tracking, including non-standard terms.
- Write policies and run training on communications, privacy, IP, and risk.
- Keep a clean, version-controlled legal repository in Google Drive.
- Make sure no time-sensitive legal notice ever sits unopened.
Key Opportunities
- Build Legal Infrastructure for Scale: Create playbooks, templates, and contract systems to support rapid growth with discipline. Establish the legal operating system that will carry myKaarma through its next phase.
- OEM Partnership Velocity: Streamline contracting for large dealer groups, OEMs, and third-party partners without compromising legal quality, while presenting consolidated decision packages to leadership.
- Deal Closure Acceleration: Support redlining, approvals, and negotiation to compress deal cycles and protect business outcomes.
- Communications Compliance Leadership: Ensure regulatory compliance across TCPA, Do-Not-Call, CAN-SPAM, and state-level communication laws across voice, text, and email.
- Cross-Functional Influence: Be the go-to advisor for legal and regulatory matters across product, sales, marketing, and customer operations, translating legal concepts into plain business language people can act on.
- IP Portfolio Development: Drive patent projects forward with momentum, coordinating inventors and outside counsel to move from disclosure to filing efficiently.
- Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify and address emerging risks in contracts, customer communications, and product releases before they need executive escalation.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- JD from an accredited law school; licensed to practice in a U.S. jurisdiction (California preferred).
- 5+ years of experience, with at least 1-2 years in-house at a technology/SaaS company.
- Proven ability to independently manage the full contract lifecycle, from drafting through negotiation and execution, including with enterprise customers and large OEMs.
- Direct experience with data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA, state privacy laws) and communications regulations (TCPA, CAN-SPAM, DNC).
- Experience coordinating with and managing outside counsel across multiple practice areas.
- Comfort with CLM tools (Ironclad) and electronic contracting platforms.
- Fluency with Google Workspace as the primary collaboration environment.
- Excellent judgment in balancing legal risk with business needs; knows when a simple business email beats a legal memo.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to explain legal issues clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
Nice to Have Skills & Qualifications
- Antitrust/competition law experience, in-house or at a firm.
- IP/patent portfolio management, including USPTO processes and coordination with patent agents.
- Employment law background, including non-solicitation agreements and multi-state hiring compliance.
- Litigation management or dispute resolution (demand letters, pre-litigation strategy, evidence coordination).
- Automotive or franchised dealer experience, particularly with DMS providers, OEM programs, or dealership technology vendors.
- Experience as sole or primary counsel at a fast-growing company, handling a high-volume, multi-stakeholder workload.
We know great candidates don't always match every requirement. If this role excites you and your experience aligns with many of the qualifications, we'd encourage you to apply. Skills can be learned—we also value curiosity, ownership, and a willingness to grow.
A Week in the Role
- Monday: A dealer group wants special terms outside our standard procedures. You redline, set up compliance tracking in Ironclad, and send leadership a one-page Summary / Ask / Detail memo with your call.
- Tuesday: An OEM's DPA adds new AI disclosure demands. You propose workable language and get the deal moving.
- Wednesday: A new texting workflow ships Friday. You clear the consent flow against TCPA and state rules first.
- Thursday: You turn an engineer's whiteboard sketch into a patent disclosure and brief outside counsel.
- Friday: HR asks if a dealership candidate is covered by a no-hire clause. Two-line answer, no memo.
Total Rewards at myKaarma
At myKaarma, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that extends beyond the base salary. Our commitment to competitive compensation includes bonuses and benefits that support both personal and professional well-being:
- Flexible Work Environment: We embrace a high-performance, flexible structure that values freedom and responsibility. Our “Highly Aligned, Loosely Coupled” model empowers teams to innovate and continuously improve using data-driven insights.
- Health and Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits, along with wellness and telework stipends.
- Time Off: Generous vacation time to recharge and balance life outside work.
- In-Office Perks: Enjoy dog-friendly offices and unlimited snacks or refreshments onsite.
The starting salary range for this role is $150,000 to $175,000, depending on experience and qualifications, reflecting our dedication to competitive industry compensation. Additional details about our Total Rewards package will be shared during recruitment.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
At myKaarma, diverse perspectives drive innovation and success. We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued and empowered and can do meaningful work. Our mission to deliver exceptional solutions to our clients is strengthened by the unique contributions and perspectives of our team members from all backgrounds.
As an equal opportunity employer, myKaarma prohibits any form of unlawful discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, family or parental status, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable laws in the regions where we operate. We adhere to all EEOC regulations and actively promote an environment that celebrates and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion for all.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. Reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on myKaarma. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process by filling out this form.
myKaarma participates in the E-Verify Program.
myKaarma considers candidates requiring work authorization on a case-by-case basis. Sponsorship may be available for exceptional candidates depending on role requirements and business need
The pay range for this role is:
150,000 - 175,000 USD per year(Long Beach Office)
See All 103+ Legal Counsel Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Legal Counsel JobsLegal Counsel Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Legal Counsel Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
- Banking & Financial Services
- Retail
- Media & Entertainment
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in legal counsel jobs across California.
- Active membership in the State Bar of California in good standing
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
- Experience advising on California employment, privacy, or regulatory matters
- Strong background in contract drafting, negotiation, and commercial transactions
- Ability to work cross-functionally with business units and senior leadership
- Familiarity with California-specific statutes including CCPA and FEHA
Legal Counsel Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a legal counsel in California?
Becoming a legal counsel in California requires earning a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, passing the California Bar Examination administered by the State Bar of California, and obtaining admission to the State Bar. Most in-house legal counsel roles also expect prior experience at a law firm or in a corporate legal department. Specialized areas like privacy or employment law benefit from additional coursework or certification recognized in California.
How much do legal counsels make in California?
Legal counsels in California earn a median of about $195,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $97,950 for the lowest 10% to over $369,180 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire legal counsels in California?
Employers hiring legal counsels in California right now include TikTok, Adobe, and Sony Interactive Entertainment, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, major entertainment studios, and large healthcare systems means in-house legal departments here tend to be among the largest and most active in the country.
Which California cities have the most legal counsel jobs?
San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles have the most legal counsel openings in California. Los Angeles draws heavy demand from entertainment, media, and healthcare employers, San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area reflect the density of technology and venture-backed companies headquartered there, and San Diego generates consistent openings through its biotech, life sciences, and defense contracting industries.
Are there remote legal counsel jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 58% of legal counsel openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on drafting, reviewing, and advising rather than physical presence. Contract review, compliance counseling, and privacy advisory roles are the most frequently offered in fully remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a legal counsel in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a post-graduate clerkship or a junior associate role at a California law firm before transitioning in-house. Large California employers like technology companies in the Bay Area and health systems like Sutter Health and Cedars-Sinai hire legal operations coordinators and contracts administrators as feeder roles into counsel positions. Candidates who have passed the California Bar and completed a clinical or externship program focused on business or employment law have a clear advantage when applying to entry-level in-house openings.
Where can I find and apply to legal counsel jobs in California?
You can find and apply to legal counsel jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers across the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and specialty, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 103+ Legal Counsel Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Legal Counsel Jobs