Sr. Legal Counsel, US & Canada
New York · New York City · USD 150,000-170,000 · 4-6 years experience · Hybrid · Posted Sep 22, 2026
At a glance
- Experience
- 4-6 years experience
- Workplace
- Hybrid
- Location
- New York · New York City
- Salary
- USD 150,000-170,000
About Monks
- Monks is the global, digital-first, data-driven, unitary operating brand of S4 Capital plc. With a legacy of innovation and specialized expertise, Monks combines an extraordinary range of global Marketing and Technology Services to redefine how brands interact with the world. Through Monks.Flow, its flagship AI ecosystem for marketing orchestration, Monks transforms marketing into a growth engine, collapsing timelines and connecting brands to culture in real time. By deploying bespoke intelligent agents across disciplines and delivering culturally relevant, high-impact creative and digital solutions, Monks solves key critical business challenges across the entire brand enterprise to help brands sustain long-term impact.
- Monks was named a Contender in The Forrester Wave™: Global Marketing Services, ranks among Cannes Lions' Top 10 Creative Companies (2022-25) and remains the only partner featured in AdExchanger’s Programmatic Power Players list every year (2020-24). Named Adweek’s first AI Agency of the Year (2023) and The One Show’s inaugural AI Pioneer Organization, Monks was also awarded Business Intelligence Group’s 2025 Excellence in Artificial Intelligence Award in both the Organizational and AI Product categories. As a trusted partner to cutting-edge innovators in tech, Monks earned titles such as Optimizely Experimentation Partner of the Year (2025), runner-up for the Adobe Firefly Partner Award (2024), and Workato’s AI Visionary Customer Impact Award (2024). Additionally, Monks achieved a record-breaking number of FWAs and continues to hold the most of any partner.
- We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to building a respectful and empowering work environment for all people to freely express themselves amongst colleagues who embrace diversity in all respects. Including fresh voices and unique points of view in all aspects of our business not only creates an environment where we can all grow and thrive but also increases our potential to produce work that better represents—and resonates with—the world around us.
About the role
- Monks is seeking an experienced, strategic, and highly-collaborative Senior Legal Counsel to support the North American region and provide practical and business-focused guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
- This role focuses on high-volume commercial contract negotiation and providing strategic and operational legal counsel across all business areas.
Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate a high-volume of commercial contracts in North America, including client MSAs and SOWs, technology licensing and reseller agreements, influencer and media partnerships, SaaS/vendor agreements, and production-related agreements.
- Work closely with commercial finance and business teams to respond to RFPs and RFIs from clients and participate actively in client pitches to help the business win.
- Evaluate legal risks and provide strategic and practical day-to-day legal advice to key business stakeholders.
- Work alongside the integrated Business Affairs team to advise on and mitigate legal risks during the production lifecycle, including intellectual property rights management, generative AI, music/stock licensing, rights of publicity, and other clearance matters.
- Ensure operational efficiency and consistency with global standards.
- Develop standardized contract templates and tools that improve process efficiency and legal protection.
- Stay up to date on the most recent legal development and ensure internal policies and procedures are updated accordingly.
- Advise on other aspects of the North America business as required, including litigation in conjunction with external counsel.
- Work closely with peers in other key regions to ensure consistent standards, tools, and processes across the Legal and Business Affairs team.
Requirements
- J.D. from an accredited law school
- Active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with ability to register/registration as an in-house counsel in New York required
- 4-6 years of professional legal experience, including in-house and/or major law firm experience, with a strong emphasis on commercial contract review, drafting, and negotiation
- Proven ability to work with cross-functional teams and independently manage a high-volume workload in fast-paced, innovative environments
- Strong legal drafting and negotiation skills
- Excellent commercial judgment with a strategic mindset
- Ability to translate complex legal issues into pragmatic business advice
- Superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
- Experience managing legal teams or supervising attorneys
Preferred qualifications
- New York or California bar membership preferred
- Advertising, production, digital media, technology, and data contract experience strongly preferred
Benefits
- Excellent, full coverage medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous PTO and 15 company-wide holidays
- 401k with company contribution
- Paid parental leave
- Work-life balance with an emphasis on personal well-being
- A globally diverse & inclusive culture with employee resource groups such as S4 Melanin, Pride.Monks, and Cultura.Monks
Workplace
- This role is HYBRID and requires scheduled days at the office located at 32 Old Slip # 705, New York, NY 10005.
- This position is based in New York or Los Angeles.
- This role is subject to the company's Return to Office (RTO) policy requiring office presence a set number of days per week based on commutable distance.
