Senior Legal Counsel (Commercial, IP & AIFC)

Freedom Tech Ltd. is an AIFC-registered technology company developing brokerage and banking software platforms for financial institutions and group companies across multiple jurisdictions.

The company operates in a common law–based legal framework (AIFC) and combines it with the application of mandatory provisions of the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan, depending on the nature of the relationship and place of performance.

We are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel who will act as the primary in-house legal partner for the business and product teams, with a strong focus on commercial contracts, software licensing and intellectual property, while also covering employment and contractor matters in a cross-border environment.

This role is ideal for a lawyer who wants real ownership of legal decisions, not a narrow support function.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial contracts & counterparties

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements, including:
• software development agreements
• software licensing agreements (SaaS / on-premise)
• MSA, SLA, NDA and related documentation
• Structuring contractual models for:
• development and use of brokerage and banking platforms
• licensing, sublicensing and restriction of software use
• Advising the business on contractual risk allocation, liability, warranties and limitation of liability

Intellectual Property & software law

• Managing IP ownership and licensing for proprietary software and source code

• Ensuring a clear and enforceable IP chain of title, including IP created by:

• employees

• independent contractors and developers

• Drafting and maintaining IP clauses in employment, services and client agreements

• Advising on the interaction between AIFC / English law principles and mandatory IP rules of Kazakhstan

Employment & contractors

• Drafting and managing employment agreements under AIFC Employment Regulations

• Advising on:

• applicability of AIFC vs Kazakhstan labor law

• employee vs independent contractor classification risks

• Structuring services / works agreements with developers (individuals and sole proprietors), including cross-border arrangements

• Supporting HR and management on employment-related risks and terminations

Corporate & regulatory support

• Day-to-day legal support of an AIFC Participant

• Advising on the application of:

• AIFC Employment Regulations

• AIFC Contract Regulations

• relevant legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan

• Interaction with AIFC authorities and external legal advisors

• Monitoring legal developments affecting fintech, software and employment models

Requirements

Must-have

• Higher legal education

• Fluent English (legal drafting and professional communication)

• Solid practical knowledge of:

• AIFC / English law–based contracts

• law of the Republic of Kazakhstan (labor and IP aspects)

• Experience in:

• commercial contracts

• software licensing and IP structuring

• Ability to work independently and provide business-oriented legal advice

Strong advantage

• Experience working with AIFC Participants

• Background in:

• fintech / IT / software companies

• regulated financial products

• Experience with brokerage or banking platforms

• Understanding of data protection and confidentiality standards in fintech

Compensation & benefits

• Compensation: depending on experience

• Remote work format

• International legal practice in a common law jurisdiction

• Direct impact on product, licensing and business decisions