Senior Counsel, Shareholder Litigation

About the role

This role focuses on leading the defense against significant legal challenges, specifically securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. The Senior Counsel will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of these cases, from initial pleadings and discovery to motions practice, expert engagement, and settlement negotiations. This involves crafting strategic approaches and ensuring effective resolution of complex legal matters.

A core aspect of the position is the management and direction of external litigation counsel. This includes overseeing their work from case inception through resolution, ensuring alignment with company objectives and efficient handling of high-stakes disputes. The role also requires collaboration with internal corporate and commercial legal teams, providing legal advice on public company filings and other related issues.

Success in this position means proactively monitoring legal developments in corporate law and relevant jurisdictions. The Senior Counsel will advise the company on how new case law might impact governance structures, disclosure practices, and overall litigation posture. Building relationships with D&O insurance carriers and brokers to effectively manage claims is also a key responsibility.

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $224,995 to $264,700 USD, with total compensation potentially including equity, bonus eligibility, and benefits.

Skills that matter here

• securities class actions: This role requires extensive experience managing and defending against lawsuits brought under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
• shareholder derivative litigation: The Senior Counsel will lead the defense against these types of lawsuits, including handling pre-suit demand letters.
• corporate law: Deep familiarity with corporate law, including fiduciary duty standards, is essential for advising on governance and litigation posture.
• Securities Laws: Understanding and applying the Securities Laws is critical for managing securities litigation and advising on public company filings.
• Delaware Chancery Court: Experience litigating in this court is a specific requirement for the role.
• generative AI: The role expects responsible use of generative AI to improve workflow efficiency, cost, and quality, with human oversight.

Who this role suits

• A litigator with at least seven years of experience, specifically in securities class actions or complex civil litigation.
• Someone with a strong grasp of corporate law principles and securities regulations.
• An individual who can strategically manage external legal counsel and navigate high-stakes legal disputes.
• A professional who is proactive in monitoring legal changes and advising on their potential impact to the company.

From the employer

• Own the day-to-day management of securities class actions brought under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including pleadings strategy, discovery, motions practice, expert work, and settlement negotiations.
• Lead the defense of shareholder derivative litigation, including pre-suit demand letters and attendant matters.
• Partner cross-functionally with corporate and commercial legal teams on a variety of issues including public company filings.
• Manage and direct outside litigation counsel from case inception through resolution, including pleadings strategy, discovery, motions practice, expert work, and settlement negotiations.
• Monitor developments in corporate law and other relevant jurisdictions and proactively advise on how emerging case law may affect the company's governance structures, disclosure practices, or litigation posture.
• Build and maintain relationships with D&O insurance carriers and brokers to manage the claims process.

• 7+ years of litigation experience with meaningful time spent on securities class actions, shareholder derivative litigation, or related complex civil litigation at a leading law firm and/or in-house.
• Deep familiarity with corporate law, including fiduciary duty standards and the Securities Laws.
• Experience litigating in Delaware Chancery Court.
• Familiar with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (PSLRA), applicable pleading standards, and the procedural landscape for securities class actions in federal court.
• Proven track record managing outside counsel strategically and resolving high-stakes litigation efficiently, including experience with D&O insurance structures and coverage.
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and active membership in a US state bar in good standing.
• Utilizes generative AI responsibly, maintaining human oversight to deliver business-ready outputs and drive measurable improvements in workflow efficiency, cost, and quality.

• Base salary varies by location (see range below). Total compensation may also include equity and bonus eligibility, and benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401(k)). Annual base salary range (excluding equity and bonus): $224,995—$264,700 USD.
• Candidates may submit a maximum of 4 applications per 30-day period.
• Coinbase is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. Applicants with criminal histories will be considered consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.