General Counsel

UPSIDE Foods • Full-time • Berkeley, California, United States • $285k - $315k / year • 1m ago

About us:

Based in Berkeley, CA, UPSIDE Foods grows meat, poultry, and seafood directly from real animal cells. These products are not vegan or vegetarian—they are delicious meat, made without the need to raise and slaughter billions of animals. In doing so, the company aims to address some of the most pressing environmental, animal welfare, and public health challenges, while still giving people the meat they love.

Founded as the world's first cultivated meat company in 2015, UPSIDE Foods (formerly Memphis Meats) has achieved numerous industry-defining milestones, including being the first company to produce multiple species of meat (beef, chicken, and duck) and to sell a cultivated meat product in the United States. The company believes that people shouldn't have to choose between the foods they love and a thriving planet, and is working to build a better food system with access to delicious, humane, and sustainable meat, poultry, and seafood.

UPSIDE Foods has won various industry awards, including New York Times' Good Tech Awards, FastCo's Next Big Thing in Tech and World Changing Ideas Awards, and the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation by the National Association for Business Resources. UPSIDE Foods has raised a total of $608 million, including from the Abu Dhabi Growth Fund (ADG), Baillie Gifford, Bill Gates, Cargill, John Doerr, John Mackey, Kimbal and Christiana Musk, Norwest, Richard Branson, Softbank, Temasek, Threshold, Tyson Foods, and others.

About this job:

Reporting to the CEO, the General Counsel will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team and a strategic partner to the CEO and the Board of Directors. This role will be instrumental in shaping the future of UPSIDE Foods as the company scales its operations and navigates the evolving regulatory landscape of cultivated meat. The General Counsel will lead all legal, regulatory, government affairs, compliance, and corporate governance matters, providing expert guidance on complex issues and fostering a culture of integrity, innovation, and ethical business practices.

Responsibilities Include:

Legal Strategy & Leadership: Develop and execute the legal strategy to support the company's growth, including guidance on regulatory, intellectual property, commercial, and corporate matters.
Regulatory Compliance: Oversee and manage regulatory strategy and compliance efforts with agencies such as the FDA and USDA, ensuring all products meet the highest safety and regulatory standards.
Government Affairs: Lead engagement with federal, state, and local government bodies, advocating for policies that support the growth of the cultivated meat industry. Develop and implement strategies to influence regulatory frameworks, build relationships with key policymakers, and represent the company's interests in public policy discussions.
Corporate Governance: Advise the Board of Directors on governance best practices, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and corporate policies.
Risk Management: Identify and mitigate potential legal risks across all areas of the business, including product liability, IP protection, and commercial agreements.
Contract Management: Oversee the drafting, negotiation, and management of complex agreements, including partnerships, supplier contracts, and licensing arrangements.
Intellectual Property: Protect the company's intellectual property assets by developing and managing strategies for patents, trademarks, and other IP rights.
Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing legal and regulatory team that supports the company's goals and fosters a collaborative, solutions-oriented environment.
Ethics & Compliance: Champion the company's values and ensure adherence to ethical business practices, including compliance training and internal investigations.
Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, product, finance, brand, and marketing, to support strategic initiatives and business development efforts.

About You:

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
15+ years of legal experience, including at least 5 years in a senior legal leadership role within a high-growth, transformative industry (food tech, biotech, or other innovative sectors).
Proven track record in regulatory affairs, particularly with FDA and USDA compliance.
Deep experience with corporate governance, contract negotiation, and intellectual property protection.
Demonstrated ability to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments and provide strategic counsel to executive teams and boards.
Strong leadership skills with experience building and managing a high-performing legal team.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
Passion for UPSIDE Foods' mission to transform the food system and bring sustainable, humane meat to tables worldwide.

Compensation Range: $285,000 - $315,000*

Pay may vary depending on factors including job-related knowledge and skills.

UPSIDE Benefits!

Stock options for all full-time incoming team members!
90-100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for team members (medical [including HSA and FSA], dental, and vision)
Pet insurance for your furry family members!
Unlimited PTO
Employee Engagement Council
Company-sponsored learning & development opportunities

UPSIDE Foods is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Our company-wide mission is to create a product for everyone, so we are deeply committed to having teams and leaders that reflect this mission.