Counsel, Law​/Legal

Position: Inside Counsel
Who we are

Semafor is a global news platform for an increasingly complex world in which consumers are overwhelmed by too many news sources and unsure what to trust. We are building Semafor to enable world-class journalists to deliver reporting and insights with rigor in journalistic forms that ensure a new level of transparency. Our editors and reporters distill the most important stories from all over in formats that uncover the forces shaping the stories, explain the interests behind polarizing narratives, and replenish the stock of shared facts.

As a global platform, Semafor recognizes that smart people can disagree and that informed readers need to understand alternative points of view from competing centers of power and culture in a multi-polar world. Want to join us? Read on.

About This Role

We are seeking an exceptional Inside Counsel to serve as a strategic legal partner to Semafor's leadership team as we scale our global intelligence platform. This is a unique opportunity to help build and shape the legal function of a fast-growing media company redefining how business and political leaders access global insights. The ideal candidate brings a blend of media law expertise, commercial acumen, and startup adaptability, working directly with the CFO and executive leadership on all aspects of the business-from complex sponsorship negotiations to global event operations and editorial guidance.
Your Responsibilities

Legal Advisory & Strategic Counsel

• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to the CFO and executive team on all legal and regulatory matters across business functions
• Advise on media law issues including defamation, privacy, copyright, fair use, and First Amendment considerations
• Advise editorial teams on legal issues related to journalism and ensure compliance with applicable media regulations and industry standards
• Support corporate governance matters including board materials, corporate policies, regulatory filings, and maintaining corporate records
• Develop and implement internal policies, procedures, and legal risk frameworks to ensure compliance and operational efficiency

Commercial Contracts & Transactions

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of commercial agreements including event sponsor ships ($500K-$5M+), sales contracts, vendor agreements, content partnerships, licensing agreements, syndication deals, and talent agreements
• Maintain standardized contract templates and playbooks to enable business velocity while protecting company interests
• Provide practical legal solutions that support business objectives in a fast-paced media environment

Events Legal Support

• Provide comprehensive legal support for Semafor's global events portfolio, including budgets ranging from $25,000 to over $5 million
• Advise on issues of liability, insurance, force majeure, and attendee terms
• Navigate cross-border legal and regulatory considerations for major event franchises

Intellectual Property Management

• Manage Semafor's global trademark portfolio and brand protection strategy
• Advise on copyright, content ownership, and journalists' external IP arrangements
• Oversee domain and social media legal matters

Risk Assessment & Litigation Management

• Identify and evaluate legal risks across the organization and develop practical mitigation strategies
• Coordinate with outside counsel on litigation matters, manage discovery processes, and develop litigation strategies
• Oversee pre-publication review when necessary to minimize legal exposure
• Manage relationships with outside counsel and legal service providers to ensure cost-effective delivery of specialized legal services

Employment & Compliance

• Support leadership on employment agreements, consulting arrangements, and compliance with employment laws across multiple jurisdictions
• Ensure understanding and compliance with data privacy regulations including CCPA and GDPR

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with editorial, events, revenue, and operations teams to advance business goals
• Provide practical, solutions-oriented legal guidance that balances risk with opportunity and enables growth
• Build trusted relationships across all levels of the organization

What Makes You Qualified

Education…