Senior Commercial Counsel

About the role

Column is building a bank‑as‑a‑service platform and needs a senior commercial counsel to shape its most important commercial and strategic relationships. This hybrid role works closely with Sales, Risk, and Compliance to design partnership structures that meet modern banking needs while navigating regulatory requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Own complex agreements end‑to‑end, drafting and negotiating customer, vendor, and third‑party contracts for a broad range of banking products.
• Build and manage legal playbooks and templates that enable rapid, high‑quality contract execution.
• Lead negotiations with high‑growth fintechs and enterprise customers, balancing commercial goals with regulatory constraints.
• Develop strong cross‑functional partnerships with Sales and Business teams to align contracting strategy with risk tolerance.
• Support the legal team with research, product and regulatory advice, exam management, subpoena responses, litigation deliverables, and corporate governance.
• Help improve legal processes, policies, and bank agreements to support Column’s growth.

Required profile

• 8+ years as a practicing lawyer, preferably with law‑firm technology transactions or fintech in‑house experience.
• Proven ability to drive complex commercial negotiations and draft commercial agreements.
• Strong understanding of contract law and commercial transactions.
• Comfortable managing projects, deadlines, and multiple stakeholder initiatives.

Required skills

• Understanding of traditional commercial banking products and services (ACH, wire, accounts, lending, cards, cash management, etc.).
• Experience in structured finance or lending products.
• Knowledge of money transmission regulations.

What we offer

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans fully covered for employee and dependents.
• Family planning and fertility benefits up to $20,000 in qualified expenses.
• Up to $2,000 monthly post‑tax rent subsidy for nearby employees.
• FSA/HSA options, 401k with brokerage, flexible time‑off, sabbatical after 5 years, paid parental leave, childcare reimbursements, catered meals, commuter benefits, and regular team events.