xAI· Legal· Palo Alto, CA
Corporate Counsel
Comp$220,000 – $260,000
Classified Tasks (22)
Automate 0%Augment 50%Human-Only 50%
Augment (11)
AI assists, human decides
Conduct legal diligence for M&A and strategic transactions
analytical
Draft and negotiate transaction agreements
technical
Prepare board materials related to transactions and corporate matters
communication
Prepare and review SEC reports (Form 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K)
technical
Draft public disclosures
communication
Draft and maintain insider trading policies
administrative
Build scalable processes, templates, and playbooks for M&A and strategic deals
operational
Advise on equity compensation, including drafting award agreements, establishing trading plans, and managing cap‑table changes
technical
Prepare board governance documents, including minutes and consents
administrative
Oversee subsidiary maintenance, including formations and dissolutions
operational
Counsel on commercial contracts for AI compute/infrastructure, vendor deals, and technology partnerships
technical
Human-Only (11)
Requires human judgment
Lead domestic and international M&A and strategic transactions
leadership
Structure deals for acquisitions, partnerships, and strategic transactions
technical
Provide securities counsel and support
technical
Advise on corporate governance matters
technical
Partner with corporate development, finance, engineering, and executive teams to execute multi‑functional deal processes
leadership
Drive post‑closing integration to ensure operational alignment and value capture
operational
Ensure compliance for US and international entities with corporate formalities and regulatory requirements
operational
Support legal matters related to AI safety and regulatory compliance
technical
Advise on intellectual property issues related to models and data
technical
Mitigate cross‑functional legal and regulatory risks
operational
Execute ad‑hoc legal projects and provide hands‑on support across functions
operational
Job description
ABOUT xAI xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates. ABOUT THE ROLE: The Legal team partners with every function—from engineering and product to finance, operations, and our Colossus data centers powering next-gen models—to drive business velocity, protect IP, navigate AI regulations, and mitigate risks in a high-stakes landscape. We're building the legal foundation for strategic partnerships, global expansion, and groundbreaking tech that billions will use. xAI is seeking a business-savvy attorney to provide expert counsel on M&A, securities , and strategic transactions globally—from diligence and structuring to execution, integration, and beyond. As Corporate Counsel, you'll also handle corporate governance, equity matters, and subsidiary management. We value the energy of our in-person office culture. This role is based on-site at our Palo Alto headquarters. RESPONSIBILITIES: Help lead domestic and international M&A and strategic transactions (e.g., partnerships with major chip suppliers, data center deals, AI infra acquisitions), including diligence, deal structuring, drafting/negotiating agreements, and board materials Provide securities counsel and support, including SEC reporting (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K), disclosures, insider trading policies, and corporate governance. Partner closely with corporate development, finance, engineering, and exec teams to build trusted relationships and execute a seamless, multi-functional deal process Drive post-closing integration, ensuring operational alignment and value capture Build scalable processes, templates, and playbooks for M&A and strategic deals to enable speed and efficiency at our scale Advise on equity compensation (award agreements, trading plans, cap table management), and corporate governance (board matters, minutes, consents) Oversee subsidiary maintenance, including formations, dissolutions, and compliance across US and international entities Provide counsel on general corporate matters, including commercial contracts for AI compute/infra, vendor deals, and tech partnerships Support emerging issues like AI safety/regulatory compliance, IP in models/data, and cross-functional risk mitigation Roll up sleeves for ad-hoc projects in our flat, high-velocity structure—thriving as a "force multiplier" in a startup-like environment BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: J.D. from an accredited law school; active CA bar membership 5+ years in Corporate or M&A at a top-tier national law firm,