• Principal Corporate Counsel

    Microsoft Corporation (Washington, DC)


    Microsoft is looking for a skilled attorney with a passion for technology to join the Corporate External and Legal Affairs (CELA) AI & Research legal team, to serve as a trusted advisor for the Microsoft AI organization. The candidate filling this role will take on a broad and varied portfolio of legal work critical to supporting Microsoft’s consumer online product portfolio, including Microsoft Copilot, Bing, Edge, MSN, and foundation AI model development.

     

    As Principal Corporate Counsel, you will partner with our engineering clients on AI product development, serving as a trusted legal advisor. This role will include counseling on copyright, regulatory compliance, privacy and transactional support for business development and product engineering teams.

     

    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 (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/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.

    Responsibilities

    + Identify and anticipate legal risks for the customer in areas such as technology, public policy, and development.

    + Manage day-to-day interactions with outside counsel, draft and negotiate transactional documents.

    + Advocate for Microsoft’s interests by developing relationships with external legal professionals, customers and partners.

    + Participate in legal and industry associations and contribute to external outreach initiatives.

    + You will suggest improvements, identify best practices, and provide continuous feedback to make the delivery of legal services more efficient.

    + Propose efficiencies to budget management, and model compliance, privacy, and data security.

    + Collaborate within the Legal and Corporate Affairs (CELA) work group, using written and verbal communication to organize and simplify issues and ideas.

    + Embody our culture and values

    Qualifications

    Required Qualifications

    + J.D. 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

    Additional Preferred Qualifications

    + 3+ years experience as an attorney supporting consumer online services or AI products

    + 1+ year(s) in-house counsel experience

    + Experience simplifying complex issues

    + Experience managing multiple mission-critical projects in alignment with priorities.

     

    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 21st, 2025.

     

    _By applying to this position, you are being considered for multiple like positions. Position specifics, including hiring team, location and position details, will be determined during the interview process. The job description should make clear the job responsibilities and required qualifications._

    \#CELA

    Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .