Legal Counsel

The role

This person will build the legal function from scratch and manage the AGPL-3.0 and Enterprise dual-licensing model. They will handle open-source licensing, IP strategy, commercial contracts, and privacy compliance.

What you will do

• Own the AGPL-3.0 and Enterprise licensing model end to end.
• Lead outreach and negotiation to convert unlicensed commercial use into paid Enterprise agreements.
• Structure and negotiate enterprise license agreements with customers.
• Own IP portfolio strategy and lifecycle.
• Set and maintain the open-source contribution and dependency policy.
• Draft, review, and negotiate SaaS, licensing, distribution, partnership, and vendor agreements.
• Build contract templates, playbooks, fallback positions, and approval workflows.
• Own liability, indemnity, warranty, and risk positions.
• Advise on GDPR, data processing agreements, and international data transfers.
• Establish AI governance and regulatory compliance processes.

Required qualifications

• UK-qualified solicitor or equivalent.
• Experience working across multiple jurisdictions.
• Hands-on experience negotiating or enforcing copyleft/open-source licenses, including AGPL, GPL, or similar models.
• Experience converting unauthorized commercial use into paying licensing customers.
• Track record of drafting and negotiating SaaS, technology licensing, distribution, and other commercial agreements independently.
• Comfortable operating as the sole in-house lawyer and building a legal function from scratch.
• Working knowledge of GDPR, data processing agreements, and cross-border data transfers.
• Excellent judgment, commercial awareness, written communication, and stakeholder management.

Nice to have

• In-house experience at an AI, computer vision, or open-source software company.
• Familiarity with Ultralytics, YOLO, or comparable dual-licensed open-source projects.
• Experience with SCA tooling, SPDX, SBOMs, or license-scanning tools.
• Experience with AI governance, emerging technology regulation, or software IP enforcement.
• Spanish, Mandarin, or another relevant language.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Equity packages
• On-site collaboration in London hub
• Flexible working hours
• 24 vacation days
• Birthday off
• Local holidays
• Tech & tools
• Apple MacBook Air/Pro, Apple Studio Display, and AirPods Pro 3
• Dedicated budget for personal and professional growth

Before you apply

• Applicants must have legal authorization to work in the United Kingdom.

About the company

Ultralytics is the creator of YOLO models and aims to simplify AI for everyone. They are a fast-scaling team expanding across global hubs in London, Madrid, and Shenzhen.