Senior Corporate Counsel - Patents
Microsoft
Legal
Redmond, WA, USA
Microsoft's Patent Group has an immediate opening for a Senior Corporate Counsel to support Microsoft's Cloud & AI businesses, including Cloud Operations and Innovation, AI Platform, and Azure Health.
In this role, you will help shape and execute patent strategy for cutting-edge cloud, AI, and hardware technologies that power Microsoft's global cloud infrastructure, advance next-generation AI capabilities, and transform healthcare delivery. You will collaborate closely with engineering and product teams to identify patentable innovations, develop global filing and prosecution strategies, and build a high-quality patent portfolio aligned with Microsoft's business and technology priorities.
The ideal candidate brings strong technical, legal, and communication skills, along with experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives in a fast-paced and evolving technology environment. We value intellectual curiosity, adaptability, perseverance, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Responsibilities
Provide day-to-day legal advice to build, protect, and maintain Microsoft's patent portfolio, draft a variety of transaction-related documents, and manage resolution of legal disputes and risks related to intellectual property
Serve as a trusted advisor to engineering teams on intellectual property protection and risk mitigation strategies
Lead negotiations to resolve or mitigate patent disputes and assertions
Supervise and coordinate with outside counsel on patent prosecution and portfolio management matters
Support business negotiations and draft agreements addressing complex intellectual property issues
Collaborate with in-house subject matter experts and legal teams across the organization to advise leadership and solve problems
Keep informed of relevant legal developments as they occur and analyze their applicability to the company's activities and objectives
Partner across Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (CELA), using clear written and verbal communication to organize and simplify complex issues
Qualifications
Required/minimum qualifications
- Juris Doctor Degree or international equivalent degree AND 6+ 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.
10+ years of experience as a practicing attorney at a law firm or in-house experience in patent law, including in-house patent counsel experience at a technology company
Technical background in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or equivalent experience
Demonstrated experience developing patent strategies for business initiatives, counseling cross-functional teams on complex IP issues, and negotiating IP terms in business transactions such as licensing agreements, joint ventures, or M&A deals
Experience with cloud computing, distributed systems, AI/ML technologies, or healthcare platforms
Legal Counsel IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $147,000 - $258,000 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 $185,900 - $278,900 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
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. 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 with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.