Principal Corporate Counsel

Social network you want to login/join with:

Turn experience into opportunity. Leverage your accomplishments to get the kind of employment you've always wanted in this AI moment: cutting edge issues, world class clients and strategic initiatives all with the collaboration and support of a global community of seasoned professionals. If you are ready to work directly with business leaders and their teams to solve problems and drive change, then a career with the Microsoft legal team is for you.

We have an immediate opening for a highly motivated and experienced attorney to join the Microsoft UK subsidiary's Corporate, External and Legal Affairs team (CELA) to provide general counselling legal services on commercial legal matters across a range of industries.

This Attorney will work as part of a team supporting the Microsoft UK subsidiary at our offices in London and will report to the UK CELA Head of Legal. This individual will be responsible for providing comprehensive legal guidance to the business across our intelligent cloud, operating system and business processes (including Azure, Azure Open AI, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Windows, Surface, and AI). Our customers are in the midst of game-changing digital transformations and this attorney will have frequent contact with all levels of Microsoft account teams, industry teams, technical experts, outside partners, customers and vendors as well as our regional and global CELA teams. Experience supporting a range of commercial matters and the operational elements of legal services provision is desired.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree or international equivalent degree with demonstrable 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.
• UK qualified solicitor or barrister with demonstrable experience as a practicing attorney and preferred in-house experience.
• Extensive experience practicing in sophisticated legal environments;

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrable analytical and written communication skills;
• A keen business sense, with the ability to find creative business-oriented solutions to legal issues, balancing legal risks against business interests;
• A demonstrated ability to work efficiently, meet demanding deadlines in a fast-paced environment, prioritize workflow and adjust to frequent workload fluctuations;
• An ability to work independently while also being a collaborator;
• Demonstrable team spirit and ability to work with colleagues based in different locations;
• An ability to establish a "trusted advisor" relationship with key business team members;
• A high tolerance for ambiguity and change; and
• Passion for technology, the potential of digital transformation and Microsoft's diverse range of products and services.

Responsibilities

Primary Duties:

• Acts as the primary legal contact for UK Subsidiary on commercial legal matters across a range of industries and operating units.
• Provide input into the review, drafting and negotiation of a wide range of commercial contracts, including licensing and framework agreements, letters of support, MoUs, term sheets and responses to RFPs and tenders.
• Provide proactive legal and business counseling on a broad range of topics, including UK laws, contracting issues, data protection, security, intellectual property and licensing, responsible AI design, competition/anti-trust, general commercial law, contract interpretation, contentious matters and regulatory compliance.
• Identify and anticipate legal risks in the client's business, technology, and/or public policy, and develop solutions to mitigate future risks.
• Manage day-to-day interactions with outside counsel or other service providers to address and resolve issues.
• Occasional attendance at our Reading offices as required.
• International travel may be required from time to time.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work: Industry leading healthcare, educational resources, discounts on products and services, savings and investments, maternity and paternity leave, generous time off, giving programs, opportunities to network and connect.