Associate Counsel

At Acorns we look after the financial best interest of the up-and-coming.  We are innovators. We make bold decisions. We stay curious, inspiring one another to push past all previous thresholds of possibility.  We are one team and are building a diverse community of team members, partners, and customers from all walks of life to foster creativity, challenge conventional thinking, and put the tools of wealth-making in everyone’s hands. 

We are looking for missionaries who are rooted in purpose, to join our team. We can achieve our goals if we are a team of missionaries working toward a shared purpose and mission. 

Our mission? With benevolence and courage, we look after the financial best interests of the up-and-coming; beginning with the empowering, proud step of micro-investing.

How do we accomplish our mission? Our values. 

Lead With Heart

With compassion, integrity, and tenacity, inspire yourself and others to move past all previous thresholds of possibility

Make Bold Decisions

We are creating a new world. Be optimistic, adventurous, and courageous. Leap fearlessly into the future

Always Build Trust

Say what you mean, mean what you say, and do what you say you’re going to do. We are all owners. We are one team

Never Stop Growing

Change IS the constant. Stay hungry and curious. Be relentless in the pursuit of progress

Find a way

Never settle, no excuses, nothing is impossible. Just make it happen

Our values guide us, and our mission drives us. 

Come join us and help deliver financial wellness for the whole family, creating compound growth at every life stage.

Associate Counsel | Acorns

Acorns is seeking an experienced attorney to join our team as an Associate Counsel / Counsel to support our growing business operations with a focus on contracts and process improvement. In this role, you will leverage your legal expertise to provide strategic guidance to key stakeholders in Marketing, Procurement, Technology and Finance teams while managing a high-volume contract workflow. This position offers an opportunity to drive legal excellence through innovative approaches, including the use of AI tools to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

This role is full-time and has the option to be remote within the United States.

Work sponsorship is not available for this role, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), F-1 Visa program, and other visa sponsorships.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements with a focus on MSAs (including SaaS agreements), vendor agreements, marketing partnerships, and promotional terms and conditions.

• Collaborate with other members of the global legal and compliance team to advise on a wide range of financial wellness products and marketing campaigns.

• Drive innovation in legal operations by designing and implementing creative solutions that balance enterprise risk, including:

  • Standardizing templates, communications, playbooks, and approval workflows

  • Leveraging emerging legal technologies to enhance efficiency

  • Developing communications and operational systems for global growth

• Proactively communicate issues back to global leadership and drive thoughtful business, legal, and operational processes throughout the organization.

• Anticipate and navigate regulatory developments in the dynamic fintech landscape.

• Handle other legal matters and projects as assigned.

What you will bring to Acorns

• JD with strong academic credentials from an accredited U.S. law school

• Admission in good standing with at least one state bar, preferably California or New York

• 2+ years of relevant legal experience, including substantial contract drafting and negotiation experience

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while aligning with business goals

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams on complex matters

• Genuine enthusiasm for contract and legal process optimization with a talent for transforming routine agreements and legal processes into strategic business enablers

You are not expected to have experience with all listed requirements. If you feel passionate about Acorns' mission, vision, and values, please apply.  

What we offer

• Competitive salary and stock options

• A comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of you and your family

• Flexible work hours, location, and paid time off 

• 401(k) matching

• Monthly Acorns account contribution [& Acorns Early account for your family]

• Wellness Days - Company-wide quarterly days off to rest + recharge

• Mindfulness, Mental Health, and Financial Wellness resources: Headspace, Ginger, and Addition Wealth are offered at no cost to you

• Acorns Career Development Program (Monthly Acorns to Oaks training sessions, development plans, quarterly development check-ins, Cornerstone’s online training platform)

• Roots Leadership Program for emerging leaders

• Monthly community celebrations, events, panel discussions, and speakers

• Talented and motivated team members who care deeply about one another, our mission, and our customers.

• The rare opportunity to create a new world. We inspire one another every day to do meaningful work that solves big societal challenges..

About Acorns

Acorns is a financial wellness app that helps everyday people and families save and invest money for the long term. Since 2014, Acorns has grown into a global company with multiple life stage products serving the needs of kids, teens, adults and parents. Named one of Time’s “World’s Best Brands of 2024,” Acorns has helped over 14 million people save & invest over $25 billion dollars, much of it from spare change and small amounts. 

Compensation Information

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $128,000 and $140,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including leveling, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including equity grants and discretionary cash bonus awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Application Deadline

This application was originally posted on 5/31/2024. The Company reasonably aims to fill this position on or about 6/30/2025  and to accept applications until filled. However, depending on multiple individualized factors, including the Company’s reasonable business needs and the number of applicants, such deadline may change.