General Counsel, UPSIDE Foods
$285-315k
+ Stock options
Office located in Berkeley, CA
Cell-cultured meat producer
Job no longer available
Cell-cultured meat producer
201-500 employees
Job no longer available
$285-315k
+ Stock options
Office located in Berkeley, CA
201-500 employees
Company mission
To make meat a force for good in the world.
Role
Who you are
- 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
What the job involves
- 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
- 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
Our take
Upside Food, previously known as Memphis Meats, is actively addressing the growing societal demand for ethical meat production through the cultivation of its own meat products. The company's approach not only ensures delicious offerings but also contributes to improving animal welfare and reducing environmental impact in the food industry.
With a wide range of cultivated meat products that closely mimic their traditional counterparts, Upside Food is capitalizing on the rapidly expanding market for meat alternatives, which is experiencing a remarkable annual growth rate of approximately 36%. Although North America stands as the fastest-growing demographic in this domain, the global market for ethical meat surpassed $8B in 2025.
By catering to the preferences of meat enthusiasts with diverse cultivated meat options, Upside Food effectively minimizes its carbon footprint compared to conventional meat producers. Tightening regulations led to staff reductions in 2024, yet Upside is expanding its product range, bringing two new cultivated chicken foods to the market later that year.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
38% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (last 2 of 6 rounds)
Apr 2022
$400m
SERIES C
Jan 2020
$161m
SERIES B
Total funding: $581.1m
Company 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
- DE&I (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Council and People Engagement Programs
- Company-sponsored learning & development opportunities
Company HQ
Southwest Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Leadership
Uma Valeti, MD
(Founder & CEO)Cardiovascular Doctor by training. Professor at the University of Minnesota and Stanford before founding Upside Foods in 2016.
Salary benchmarks
We don't have enough data yet to provide salary benchmarks for this role.
Submit your salary to help other candidates with crowdsourced salary estimates.
Share this job