Application Guide

How to Apply for Head of Legal

at InPlanet

🏢 About InPlanet

InPlanet is a mission-driven ClimateTech startup scaling Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) in tropical agriculture to remove gigatons of CO2 while regenerating soils. With a remote-first culture spanning Germany, Brazil, the US, and UK, the company combines ambitious climate impact with a people-first, performance-excellence ethos.

About This Role

As Head of Legal, you will build and lead the legal function for a fast-growing carbon removal startup, navigating complex regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions (especially Brazil, Germany, and the US). Your work will directly support scaling ERW operations, securing carbon credits, and ensuring compliance in a novel climate tech space.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing carbon credit contracts with farmers, advising on Brazilian environmental compliance, and negotiating partnerships with technology providers. You’ll also collaborate with the science team on regulatory submissions and spend time building legal frameworks for new markets as InPlanet expands.

🎯 Who InPlanet Is Looking For

  • Deep experience in environmental, carbon markets, or climate tech law, ideally with knowledge of Enhanced Rock Weathering or carbon credit frameworks (e.g., Puro.earth, Verra).
  • Ability to operate across Brazil, Germany, and US legal systems—fluency in Portuguese and English is a strong plus.
  • Comfortable in a fast-paced startup environment, able to build legal processes from scratch and advise on high-stakes regulatory and commercial decisions.
  • Passionate about climate action and regenerative agriculture, with a willingness to engage with field operations and scientific teams.

📝 Tips for Applying to InPlanet

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with carbon markets, environmental regulations, and cross-border legal work—mention frameworks like VCS, Puro, or Brazilian environmental law.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your legal expertise to InPlanet’s mission of scaling ERW in tropical agriculture; show you understand the science and business model.

3

Research InPlanet’s Glassdoor reviews and culture page to demonstrate cultural alignment with their 'people-first, performance-excellence' values.

4

If you have experience with remote-first, multicultural teams, highlight it—InPlanet’s team spans continents and time zones.

5

Prepare to discuss how you’d handle novel legal challenges in carbon removal, such as property rights for rock application or liability for carbon storage permanence.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with carbon credit legal frameworks and environmental regulations (e.g., Brazilian Forest Code, EU ETS, or voluntary carbon market standards).', 'Your ability to build a legal function from scratch in a startup, including contract management, IP, and regulatory compliance.', 'Your passion for climate tech and regenerative agriculture, and how your legal work can directly enable gigaton-scale CO2 removal.', 'Your cross-cultural and multilingual capabilities, especially if you speak Portuguese or have worked in Brazil/Germany.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Read InPlanet’s website and blog to understand their ERW technology, partnerships (e.g., with farmers), and carbon credit methodology.
  • Review the voluntary carbon market standards (Puro.earth, Verra) and how ERW is treated under them.
  • Study Brazil’s environmental laws (e.g., Código Florestal) and any recent regulations on carbon farming or soil carbon.
  • Look into InPlanet’s competitors (e.g., Lithos, Heirloom) and how they handle legal aspects.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you structure InPlanet’s legal team and prioritize legal needs as we scale?
2 Walk us through your experience with carbon credit issuance and the legal risks involved (e.g., reversal, double counting).
3 How would you advise on regulatory compliance for ERW in Brazil’s agricultural sector?
4 Describe a time you handled a complex cross-border legal issue—what was your approach?
5 What do you see as the biggest legal challenges for Enhanced Rock Weathering as a carbon removal method?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don’t focus solely on corporate law or M&A—this role requires deep environmental and regulatory expertise.
  • Avoid generic startup legal experience without specific climate/carbon market examples—be prepared to discuss ERW details.
  • Don’t ignore the remote-first, multicultural aspect—failing to address cross-cultural communication or time zone management can be a red flag.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to InPlanet!