Principal Corporate Counsel

Join a team at the forefront of AI innovation, where legal and policy challenges evolve as fast as the technology itself. As part of the AI Platform legal team, you'll work with engineers and colleagues to tackle complex and novel legal issues and help shape the future of AI.

We’re looking for a Principal Corporate Counsel with a passion for technology to join the Corporate External and Legal Affairs (CELA) Cloud + AI legal team to serve as a trusted advisor for the AI Platform engineering group. In this role you will take on a broad and varied portfolio of legal work critical to supporting some of Microsoft’s most strategically important products and services for our AI Platform teams, including Azure AI Foundry.  

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, and we’re dedicated to this mission across every aspect of our company. Our Culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. Join us and help shape the future of the world.

• Legal Advice and Counsel
• Drive deep engagement as “front-line” legal counsel with business clients to understand technical engineering concepts and strategy;
• Provide high-quality, pragmatic legal and business advice regarding a wide range of issues, including product development, security, privacy/data protection, trade, compliance, and intellectual property, often in collaboration with legal department colleagues and policy specialists;
• Provide counseling on emerging issues, help execute plans to achieve both short-term and long-term results, and communicate with key legal and business stakeholders;
• Analyze and work to solve complex and cutting-edge issues;
• Work effectively with colleagues across CELA and business clients on projects and initiatives; and
• Some drafting and negotiating of contracts with a technology focus.
• Operational Excellence
• Develop and implement processes, templates, track projects and share knowledge across the wider Microsoft legal community.
• Provide input and continuous feedback to improve process efficiencies within role; identifies opportunities and tools to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Manage expenses according to budget and proposes efficiencies.
• Models compliance and maintains confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, privacy, and the security of data.
• Communication
• Collaborates effectively within Legal and Corporate Affairs work group and direct business clients.
• Embody our culture and values

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree or international equivalent degree AND 4+ years' experience as a practicing attorney
• OR equivalent experience.
• Active license to practice law in a jurisdiction and capable of meeting admission requirements in relevant jurisdiction.
• 1+ years' experience as an attorney advising on AI - related legal matters.
• 1+ years' experience as an attorney counseling on Enterprise level products.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

3+ years' experience with the following:

• Collaborating with engineering teams developing products and services for enterprise clients, with a focus on privacy, security, trade, AI legal compliance, and responsible AI.
• Facilitating contract discussions and agreements, supporting the negotiation of in-bound and out-bound use agreements, including terms for diverse business models involving AI services and/or models.
• Working across subject matter areas to support outcomes aligned with business goals.
• Translating technical and legal topics for diverse audiences.

Legal Counsel IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $132,200 - $232,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $165,800 - $248,600 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until September 8th, 2025.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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