Founding Head of Legal

Position Overview

• Location Type: OnSite
• Job Type: FullTime
• Salary: $160K - $240K

As the Founding Head of Legal at ModernFi, you'll establish and own the legal function, serving as a key partner across the business. This role involves advising on commercial agreements, risk, compliance, people operations, and future fundraising efforts. It’s a unique opportunity to shape the company’s operational and regulatory foundation within a rapidly growing fintech company.

Responsibilities

• Own all core legal responsibilities as the first in-house legal hire, including revising, reviewing, and negotiating client contracts, vendor agreements, NDAs, and employment documents.
• Advise on legal risk, particularly in reviewing contractual agreements from institutional bank and credit union partners and vendor relationships.
• Support due diligence processes from customers, vendors, and investors with clear, efficient, and consistent legal review.
• Partner with internal teams on employment-related legal needs, such as offer letters and policy documentation.
• Prepare for and support fundraising activities, including working with outside counsel and managing investor diligence.
• Contribute to ModernFi’s compliance posture, especially regarding frameworks relevant to FDIC, NCUA, OCC, and Federal Reserve guidance on risk management for third-party relationships.
• Represent ModernFi on external legal and compliance calls with banks, credit unions, and other partners.
• Build the internal legal infrastructure – processes, templates, and policies – that will scale with the company.

Requirements

• 5–8+ years of experience, ideally with a mix of law firm and in-house roles, particularly at a technology or fintech company.
• JD from a prominent law school as well as a bar admission.
• Confident in contract negotiation and legal strategy, especially in regulated or B2B enterprise contexts.
• Thoughtful and pragmatic in your approach to legal risk, with the ability to advise on what’s essential, what’s flexible, and what to push back on.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally and explaining legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial – excited to build from the ground up, work through ambiguity, and be part of a founding team.
• Experience with banks, credit unions, or financial infrastructure is a strong plus.

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks for financial services (e.g., GLBA, SOC 2, FFIEC).
• Experience supporting early-stage fundraising or venture-backed startups.

Application Instructions

• To learn more and apply, please email careers@modernfi.com.
• During the recruitment process, you’ll meet the engineering team, Adam, and Paolo.

Company Information

• About Us: The caliber and character of the ModernFi team set us apart. We value competence and drive over experience and seek compassionate people with diverse backgrounds. We appreciate technical ability, dedication, and humble confidence. Above all, we value respect – respect for our colleagues, clients, partners, and ourselves. Our team pushes each other to be better every day, supports each other when challenges arise, and grows together on this journey. Because we are a close-knit team, we are selective and considerate with every hire. The people at ModernFi could be doing anything in the world, yet they choose to be here.
• Benefits: We offer a generous salary, unlimited PTO, 401(k), and premium health, dental, and vision insurance. As an early hire, you will have access to significant equity at a critical stage of the company’s growth.
• Level Determination: Your level will be determined during the interview process based on your technical performance.