Legal Counsel

About Shyft Labs

At Shyft Labs, we live and breathe data. Since 2020, we’ve been helping Fortune 500 companies unlock growth with cutting‑edge digital solutions that transform industries and create measurable business impact. We’re growing fast and are looking for passionate problem‑solvers who are excited to turn advanced research into real‑world, enterprise‑scale AI systems.

We are seeking in‑house Legal Counsel who can take ownership and provide direction across commercial contracts, employment law, and technology law such data privacy and compliance.

In this role, you will provide guidance and leadership across all legal documents and contracts, whilst working closely with the executive team on all items. The role is the first in‑house legal role at Shyft Labs, and is anticipated to 10‑20 flexible hours per week, however, quick turnarounds on requests are a necessity. Ability to meet in our Toronto office as required is highly preferred, but we will be flexible on location within Ontario.

• Draft, review, and negotiate
• Master Services Agreements (MSAs)
• Statements of Work (SOWs)
• Non‑Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
• Data Processing Addendums (DPAs)
• Advertising and partnership agreements
• Vendor and SaaS agreements
• Support redlining and negotiation with enterprise clients
• Build and maintain internal contract templates and playbooks
• Identify risk exposure and propose practical, business‑aligned solutions

• Advise on data privacy, data protection, and information security obligations
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations (e.g., PIPEDA, U.S. privacy frameworks, state‑level laws as relevant)
• Support client security reviews and contractual data obligations
• Review terms related to IP ownership, licensing, and software development

• Draft and review employment agreements and independent contractor agreements
• Advise on employment‑related matters across Canadian and U.S. jurisdictions
• Support onboarding/offboarding risk mitigation (IP assignment, confidentiality, etc.)
• Assist with corporate governance and intercompany matters as needed

• Support internal policy development (data handling, acceptable use, etc.)
• Advise leadership on risk mitigation strategies
• Collaborate on ISO/compliance‑related documentation as needed
  
  Serve as a trusted internal advisor on legal and contractual issues

• J.D. or LL.B. and licensed to practice law in Canada or the United States (dual qualification is a plus)
• 2–5 years of legal experience at in‑house at a technology, data, or SaaS company, or at a law firm with a focus on technology, commercial, or data privacy law
• Demonstrated experience reviewing and negotiating MSAs, SOWs, NDAs, Data Processing Agreements, and commercial vendor agreements
• Familiarity with cross‑border (Canada/U.S.) legal considerations
• Strong understanding of data privacy and IP concepts in technical environments
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and responsive
• Comfortable operating independently in a lean, fast‑moving environment

• Proven legal experience in a technical domain
• Ability to take ownership and be proactive
• Quick turnarounds on requests
• Strong communication skills across clients, business team, and technical team

• $60 to $120 CAD per hour

We’re building something big, and we want you on the journey with us. If you’re ready to use data and innovation to make an impact, apply today and let’s grow together.

Shyft Labs is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to creating a safe, diverse, and inclusive environment. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds including ethnicity, religion, disability status, gender identity, sexual orientation, family status, age, and nationality to apply. If you require accommodation during the interview process, let us know and we’ll be happy to support you.