Senior Commercial Legal Counsel MENA

About Mistral

At Mistral AI, we believe in the power of AI to simplify tasks, save time, and enhance learning and creativity. Our technology is designed to integrate seamlessly into daily working life.

We democratize AI through high-performance, optimised, open-source and cutting edge models, products and solutions. Our comprehensive AI platform is designed to meet enterprise as well as personal needs. Our offerings include Le Chat, AI Studio, Mistral Code and Mistral Compute - a suite that brings frontier intelligence to end users.

We are a dynamic, collaborative team passionate about AI and its potential to transform society. Our diverse workforce thrives in competitive environments and is committed to driving innovation. Our teams are distributed between France, USA, UK, Germany and Singapore. We are creative, low ego and team spirited.

Role Summary

We are seeking a Senior Commercial Legal Counsel to join our Legal team and focus primarily on Contracts & Commercial topics in the MENA region. As a member of our legal team, you will be instrumental in:

• Supporting our regional MENA business in drafting our contracts, agreements and terms to enable deal making and revenue generation
• Driving contracts negotiations and helping contracts adapt to the evolving AI regulation and compliance
• Growing the region and making Mistral a regional AI leader

The role reports into our Director, commercial legal affairs based in Paris. The legal team currently comprises 25 persons across Paris, London, Singapore and Palo Alto, covering a spectrum of competences across regulatory, IP, contracts and corporate.

What you will do

• Own the MENA commercial legal scope: case monitoring, first point of contact of local outside counsels, localisation of the templates, etc.
• Draft, update and provide strategic advice on a wide range of contracts, including but not limited to AI related service agreements.
• Negotiate (markup, arguments, strategies) such contracts with suppliers, partners, customers and other stakeholders.
• With the support of other team members (especially in direct connection with the product and compliance team) stay updated on the latest products and AI related legal and regulatory developments and provide guidance on their translation into contract adaptation and negotiation.
• Provide training and support to the business on legal and compliance matters related to AI, and on contract negotiation.
• Help on other legal topics as needed (labor law, corporate, competition law, etc.)

About you Background

Master's degree in law, a bar admission is a plus, as well as experience in a fast growing environment.

Experience

Minimum of 10 years of relevant legal experience, in a related technology or AI focused environment involving contract negotiations.

Regional expertise

Several years of experience working for KSA and UAE, with numerous deals done in each country, solid knowledge of the regional framework of the relevant area of law (data privacy, IP, contract law, liability, compliance, export controls) and mastery of the regional do and don'ts of doing business in the region.

Sector

Successful track record dealing with public sector & semi government clients.

Tech & Product Acumen

Contracts negotiation experience implying complex technologies, especially both cloud and on prem, impacting legal terms, and ability to understand legal implications.

Knowledge of Artificial Intelligence

An understanding of artificial intelligence technologies and their applications is essential. Good knowledge of the relevant area of law, such as data privacy, intellectual property, contract law and liability, regulatory and compliance.

Analytical Skills

Ability to analyze complex legal and technical issues related to AI and to identify potential legal risks and solutions. Candidates should be detail oriented and have strong problem solving skills.

Communication Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication; strong ability to present complex legal concepts in a clear and understandable manner. Business oriented.

Adaptability

Given the rapidly evolving nature of AI technologies and the legal landscape surrounding them, candidates should be adaptable and willing to continuously learn and update their skills and knowledge. Ability to work independently and in a team oriented, collaborative environment. Proactive, flexible, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced environment.

Ethical Awareness

A strong understanding of ethical considerations related to AI, such as fairness, transparency, accountability, and bias mitigation, is important.