In-house lawyer, Intellectual Property & Fintech, MENA (Contract To Permanent)3RD UNIT is an UAE-based early stage entertainment fintech company.We are building a digital ecosystem a launchpad for creators and a marketplace for creative digital assets enabling and democratizing access to investment in early stage entertainment intellectual property (IP).We see an immense opportunity to scout, nurture, and finance nascent creative IPs tailoring them from the ground up to seamlessly integrate into film, gaming, and location-based entertainment franchises right at the pre-production stage. We need the right talent to join us to build it.This is an opportunity for an early- to mid-career lawyer to step up and lead an area of domain expertise at a startup stage company. Your role will be to establish a robust legal culture and support the executive team in navigating opportunities, compliance, and risks. The main legal domains include intellectual property rights, fintech (digital assets, web3, crypto, NFT), and venture building.You will independently lead and create legal assets by drafting and negotiating contracts, researching legal interpretations, representing the team with ecosystem partners and regulators, and liaising with external experts for case-specific circumstances. This role offers a unique opportunity to grow with the company and become the Chief Legal Officer (CLO) role as the venture expands.Role expectations:legal education/qualifications for operating in MENA legal jurisdictions (preferably UAE, Saudi, Qatar + international)experience working with entertainment intellectual property (e.g., film, gaming, advertising, publishing, live events, talent management)experience with fintech regulations (e.g., TradFi, securities, DeFi, crypto)experience with venture funding (e.g., investment funds, startups)experience or well-justified interest in web3/blockchain-based technologiesexperience or well-justified interest in generative AI creator-supporting toolsgenuine interest in the creative industries and the creator economyfluency in English and Arabic is essentialOffer:compensation relevant to background and experience (industry standards apply according to benchmark of VC-backed early stage companies with early hire equity compensation)remote-first, with option to sponsor employment visa and relocation stipend to the UAEaccess to high growth venture opportunity with significant talent density and ambitionApplicants are invited to provide their expected compensation ballpark. Role can start on a contractual basis (freelance), to evolve into permanent.All applications are reviewed directly by the founding team.Expected start date / availability from Q4 2024 (TBC).

3RD UNIT