# Senior Commercial Legal Counsel, APAC

**Company:** [GitLab](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/gitlab)
**Location:** Remote
**Role:** Legal
**Experience:** 5+ years
**Skills:** Commercial Contracts, Technology Transactions, SaaS, Software Licensing, Data Privacy, Artificial Intelligence, Contract Negotiation, Cross-Border Transactions, Contract Templates, Legal Risk Assessment, Japan Contracting Practices
**Posted:** 2026-08-10

> Senior commercial counsel will negotiate complex technology and business agreements across APAC, advise on cross-border legal risk, and support Sales and regional stakeholders. The role requires legal qualification, multijurisdictional commercial transactions experience, and familiarity with Japan contracting practices.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Negotiate complex commercial and technology agreements across APAC markets, including SaaS, software, partnership, services, consulting, marketing, licensing, data privacy, and AI-related contracts.
- Manage strategic and high-priority transactions across multiple jurisdictions, balancing legal risk with business needs.
- Partner with regional Sales leadership, internal stakeholders, and external counterparties to move deals forward with clear legal guidance.
- Navigate country-specific contracting norms, approval paths, and drafting requirements across APAC markets, including Japan.
- Advise on cross-border transaction structures and coordinate with outside counsel when local legal support is needed.
- Assess contractual risk and provide practical recommendations, including escalation paths and alternative terms.
- Develop and maintain APAC-focused templates, playbooks, policies, and supporting documentation.
- Train contract managers and regional Sales team members on contracting practices, legal developments, and day-to-day decision-making.

## Requirements
- Qualified to practice law through a J.D. or equivalent legal credential, with active bar membership or a license in a relevant jurisdiction.
- Experience in commercial and technology transactions across APAC markets in a law firm, in-house legal team, or both.
- Experience negotiating complex agreements across multiple APAC jurisdictions, with familiarity with Japan contracting practices.
- Experience handling cross-border transactions involving different legal systems and coordinating with outside counsel.
- Ability to identify legal risk, explain tradeoffs clearly, and provide business-focused guidance in varied regulatory environments.
- Experience creating or improving contract templates, playbooks, and processes.
- Ability to build trusted relationships with Sales and cross-functional partners in a remote, globally distributed environment.
- Transferable experience and language skills relevant to APAC markets are welcome; Japanese proficiency is helpful but not required.

## Compensation and Benefits
- Flexible paid time off
- Team Member Resource Groups
- Equity compensation and Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Growth and Development Fund
- Parental leave

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