Who are we looking for?
Treelife is hiring an Associate Partner to own and grow the Legal practice. This is a practice-lead role with full accountability for delivery, client relationships, P&L, hiring, and growth. Originating work and expanding the client base is as central to the mandate as running the legal work itself.
A commercially minded lawyer who can run a practice as a business: win work, deepen client relationships, hire and lead a team, and be fully accountable for quality and results. Strong contracting craft is assumed. Proven hunger and ability to originate and grow a book of business is essential.
Reports to: Founder
What will be your key responsibilities?
1. Business development and client growth
- Originate new Corporate Commerical work and personally drive revenue for the practice.
- Build and execute a go-to-market for Commercial Contracts, with a clear focus on startups and the tech industry.
- Convert relationships, referrals, and inbound interest into retainers and mandates. Own the full sales cycle from first conversation to signed engagement.
- Cultivate deep, long-term relationships with founders, C-suite, and in-house counsel, operating as a trusted business advisor rather than transactional outside counsel.
- Expand existing accounts: deepen wallet share, lead renewals and expansions, and identify and close cross-sell into Treelife’s other practice areas.
- Represent Treelife in the market: thought leadership, networks, events, and targeted outreach that build a visible pipeline.
- Develop a repeatable BD rhythm for the practice (pipeline, pursuits, conversion) and coach the team to contribute to growth, not only delivery.
2. Practice leadership
- Independently draft, review, redline, and negotiate mid to high complexity contracts (SaaS, MSA, SOW, amendments, change orders) and secure favourable positions for clients.
- Own the full contract lifecycle: renewals, extensions, renegotiations, amendments, terminations, and data protection compliance (GDPR, COPPA) for India and global clients.
- Act as the senior escalation point on critical contracting issues, and as strategic counsel to founders, C-suite executives, and in-house counsel.
- Hold quality control across every deliverable from the practice.
- Run contracting AI-first: use AI as standard for drafting and review, and embed that operating model in the team.
- Provide occasional support on PE/VC or M&A work where client relationships or capacity require it.
3. P&L and operations
- Take full P&L responsibility for the practice: revenue forecasting, budgeting, and cost management.
- Own the numbers: utilisation, realisation, billing cycles, and practice profitability.
- Drive efficiency through templates, process, legal tech, and AI tools.
4. Team and hiring
- Recruit, train, and mentor senior and junior associates. Building capacity is a core part of the role.
- Foster a culture of excellence, commercial awareness, and accountability.
- Conduct performance reviews and own career progression for the team.
What are the key requirements for the role?
- LLB/LLM or BA (LLB/LLM) from a recognized university;
- 12 - 15 years of Post-Qualification Experience (PQE) at a top-tier law firm, boutique corporate firm, or in a senior in-house legal leadership role, with substantial hands-on experience in:
- Commercial contracts, including SAAS, MSA, SOW and global contract lifecycle management
- Data protection and privacy compliance (GDPR, COPPA and equivalent)
- Exposure to PE/VC transactions or M&A is a plus, though not the core focus of this role
- Proven track record independently leading a high-volume commercial contracting practice, ideally within the startup or tech industry;
- AI-native, using AI tools as the default first step in drafting, reviewing, and researching contracts, not as an occasional add-on;
- Demonstrated success in business development, with experience managing client and business relationships at a senior level;
- Strong financial literacy, with prior experience managing a P&L, team targets, and billing metrics;
- Ability to exercise judgment and discretion to opine on legal issues effectively;
- Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with a history of building and retaining strong legal teams;
- Prior startup or tech industry experience strongly preferred.