Contracts Counsel - Digital Assets

at Early Warning Services in Chicago, Illinois, United States Job Description At Early Warning, we've powered and protected the U.S. financial system for over thirty years with cutting-edge solutions like Zelle, Paze, and so much more. As a trusted name in payments, we partner with thousands of institutions to increase access to financial services and protect transactions for hundreds of millions of consumers and small businesses. Positions located in Scottsdale, San Francisco, Chicago, or New York follow a hybrid work model to allow for a more collaborative working environment. Candidates responding to this posting must independently possess the eligibility to work in the United States, for any employer, at the date of hire. This position is ineligible for employment Visa sponsorship. Overall Purpose This position is responsible for reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a variety of commercial contracts across a variety of business units and subject areas and assisting with contract management at the company. This role supports commercial contracting activities related to cross-border payments and digital asset-enabled solutions, ensuring agreements appropriately address regulatory, operational, and risk considerations in a rapidly evolving financial technology environment. Essential Functions Drafts, reviews, and negotiates a wide range and complexity of commercial contracts with customers, suppliers, technology and business partners, including complex master service agreements, statements of work, vendor agreements, professional services agreements, intellectual property license agreements, and non-disclosure agreements for domestic and international use cases. May support M&A activities. Collaborates with other internal partners, including privacy, security, compliance, risk management, and other members of the Legal department, to provide integrated support to the contracts team and its clients. Draft, review, and negotiate agreements supporting cross-border payment capabilities and digital asset-enabled services, including blockchain infrastructure, custody, settlement, and technology integration arrangements. Advise business and technology teams on contractual considerations related to digital asset transactions, stablecoin-enabled settlement models, and international payment flows, in collaboration with Compliance and Risk. Monitor and assess evolving legal and regulatory frameworks impacting digital assets, blockchain technologies, and global money movement, incorporating requirements into contract structures and templates. Advises business teams on a full range of issues related to commercial contracting in the interpretation and application of U.S. and international legal and regulatory frameworks. Prepares, maintains, and updates contract templates and prepares unique or custom agreements as required. Recommends and helps implement contract policies and procedures. Partners closely with contract administration team to provide timely and efficient management of the contracts process. Assists with development and implementation of contract guidelines/playbooks and client training. Delivers timely, actionable, forward looking, legal guidance that facilitates business objectives in a legal compliant manner. Develops and maintains knowledge of the regulations and industry guidelines impacting the company's products and commercial contracts. May supervise lower-level attorneys and/or contract management personnel. Manages and supervises outside counsel as needed. Exercises independent judgment. Supports the company's commitment to contracts operational excellence and risk management while protecting the integrity and confidentiality of systems and data. Minimum Qualifications Juris Doctor from accredited law school; admission to Arizona or other State bar Minimum of eight (8) years of transactional legal experience preferably with a majority of that time in an in-house corporate setting Experience supporting commercial transactions in regulated financial services, payments, or technology environments; familiarity with digital asset or cross-border payment frameworks is a plus. Strong presentation and negotiation skills, solid business instinct and judgment and excellent written and verbal communication skills Proven ability to define legal issues and legal risks Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills to build partnerships and alliances internally and with external partners at all levels of the organization Highly effective working in a team environment Organized with ability to prioritize multiple tasks and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities to achieve objectives in a fast-paced environment Prior experience with contract... For full info follow application link. Early Warning is an equal opportunity employer that takes affirmative action to employ, and advance in employment, qualified minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and covered veterans. To view full details and how to apply, please login or create a Job Seeker account