Special Counsel, Transactions (M&A and Bank Partnerships)

Role Overview

As a Special Counsel, Transactions, you will work as a senior individual contributor and trusted advisor to Circle’s Corporate Development and Ventures, Treasury, and Financial Partnerships teams. You will independently lead transactions from inception through negotiation, signing, closing, and implementation or integration.

What You Will Do

Supporting mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, asset purchases, and other strategic transactions, advising on joint ventures, minority and venture investments, and structuring agreements with banks and financial institutions.

Why It Might Be a Fit

This role requires rigorous legal execution, practical business judgment, and a solutions-oriented approach in a fast-moving digital asset and payments environment. You will use AI as a core part of day-to-day transactional work and help shape how the Transactions team operates in an AI-enabled environment.

Requirements

• J.D. or foreign equivalent and active membership in good standing of at least one U.S. State Bar.
• 7+ years of transactional legal experience at a leading law firm, an in-house legal department, or a combination of both.
• Substantial experience with M&A and other corporate transactions, financial services transactions, or both, including structuring transactions, drafting first-turn agreements, leading negotiations and diligence, and independently driving complex matters through signing and closing.
• Strong working knowledge of corporate and commercial law, sound business judgment, and the ability to coordinate legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, securities, and operational considerations while balancing legal risk, commercial objectives, and Circle’s strategic goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong ownership and organization, and the ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously in a fast-moving environment that is prone to rapid change.
• Demonstrated familiarity with and practical use of generative AI in legal or other professional workflows, with sound judgment about when and how to use AI, validate outputs, and protect privileged, confidential, and material non-public information in a public company environment.
• Passion for Circle’s mission and values, financial technology, and the potential of stablecoins, digital assets, and blockchain technology.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health insurance
• 401(k) or other retirement plan
• Stock options
• Flexible work environment
• Paid time off
• Holiday pay
• Wellness programs