Principal Corporate Counsel - Law Enforcement and National Security

Microsoft•Redmond, WA

About The Position

The Law Enforcement and National Security (LENS) Policy and Strategy Team in Microsoft Global Affairs (MGA) has an opening for an attorney to join our team as a Principal Corporate Counsel at Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, WA or our hub in Mountain View, CA. This role will provide advice and guidance to the global team responsible for responding to government demands for customer data. The job will include supporting compliance and operational decision making as well as the development and implementation of Microsoft’s policies to promote the privacy interests of its customers by modernizing surveillance laws in the U.S. and other key jurisdictions around the world. LENS is part of the Microsoft Global Affairs organization within Microsoft's Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (CELA). The LENS team is responsible for supporting public safety and global trust in Microsoft through principled advocacy and compliance with government demands for data that respect the rule of law and our customers’ privacy. LENS provides this support for Microsoft’s online consumer and enterprise services such as Outlook.com, OneDrive, Xbox Live, M365, Azure, and other services. Microsoft is on a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset, a theme of inspiring excellence, and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. In doing so, we create life-changing innovations that impact billions of lives around the world. You can help us achieve our mission.

Requirements

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.
Citizenship & Citizenship Verification: This role will require access to information that is controlled for export under export control regulations, potentially under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations or Export Administration Regulations, the EU Dual Use Regulation, and/or other export control regulations. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of citizenship, U.S. permanent residency, or other protected status (e.g., under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)) for assessment of eligibility to access the export-controlled information. To meet this legal requirement, and as a condition of employment, the successful candidate’s citizenship will be verified with a valid passport. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees may verify status using other documents, where applicable.
This position requires verification of U.S. citizenship due to citizenship-based legal restrictions. Specifically, this position supports United States federal, state, and/or local U.S. government agency customers and is subject to certain citizenship-based restrictions where required or permitted by applicable law. To meet this legal requirement, and as a condition of employment, the successful candidate’s citizenship will be verified via a valid passport.

Nice To Haves

Juris Doctor Degree or international equivalent degree AND 5+ years experience as a practicing attorney OR equivalent experience.
Ability to obtain and maintain a United States Security Clearance.
Professional experience dealing with the laws related to government surveillance such as the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) and/or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Knowledge of and experience with the criminal investigative process.
Motivate and lead others, including on matters where you have no direct oversight or management responsibilities over those whose assistance/participation is required.
Ability to understand customer requirements and corporate strategies, and how to ensure your work is advancing both.
Demonstrated ability to think creatively to devise strategies that advance customers’ and clients’ interests, prioritize among competing responsibilities, and devise long-term strategies.
Ability to communicate complicated legal and policy advice clearly and succinctly to a variety of different audiences (internal and external) from a diverse set of disciplines (lawyers, project managers, engineers, business executives, government officials, policymakers, academics, reporters) and cultures.
Willingness to experiment and try new things and learn quickly from failure and/or mistakes.
Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-pressure environment and working on cutting-edge legal and policy matters where ambiguity is the rule rather than the exception.
Ability and willingness to adapt quickly as the legal, policy and factual landscape continues to evolve
Familiarity with internet-based communications technology, cloud services and Microsoft’s products and services.
Fluency in Spanish, with the ability to conduct business discussions and review legal documents in both English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Advising the LENS Operations team responsible for responding to legal demands from governments around the world seeking access to customer data from Microsoft’s services.
Advising all of Microsoft’s core enterprise and consumer product teams, including Azure, Experiences and Devices, and Gaming, regarding the implications of product and service architecture and design, in order to ensure Microsoft can comply with applicable legal requirements.
Providing subject matter expertise and advice to CELA senior leadership concerning compliance with laws and policies relating to data security and government access to data.
Conducting and/or coordinating legal research through outside counsel, as well as interpreting and applying risk-based assessments of how legal requirements throughout the world affect Microsoft’s current and future product and service offerings.
Engaging with government authorities and policy makers on matters related to Microsoft’s compliance with government legal demands to address operational and policy questions, conduct training and outreach, and maintain working relationships with domestic and international law enforcement.
Supporting CELA colleagues around the world with advice and guidance related to government access to data and the implications for our products and customers.
Working with Microsoft’s in-house litigation team and outside counsel on court cases related to law enforcement and national security data access matters.
Developing policies, processes, and procedures designed to ensure timely and efficient compliance with legal obligations consistent with Microsoft’s customer commitments and global lawful access principles.
Ensuring effective customer communications related to Microsoft’s practices, policies, and procedures for responding to government requests for user data, to include providing subject matter expertise to the field; engaging directly with customers to discuss Microsoft’s policies, practices and procedures; and negotiating contractual provisions governing third party requests for customer data.
Proactively engaging industry, business, or legal groups to drive Microsoft's policy objectives and external outreach initiatives (e.g., conferences, hearings, consultations, conducting workshops, volunteering for committees, leading recruiting activities).
Developing and strategizing positive relationships with external and internal legal professionals, academics, government officials, customers, and/or partners to protect and advocate Microsoft's interests and to drive results; coordinates with government affairs professionals to obtain alignment in policy strategy for public entities.
Leading and encouraging collaboration with the CELA leadership team, Microsoft senior executives, and clients to ensure a coordinated CELA voice on issues with Microsoft-wide impact or high external visibility.
Improving decision making and conflict resolution by leveraging key stakeholders, including Microsoft senior executives, by simplifying and summarizing highly complex/multi-dimensional issues into actionable strategies and recommendations.
Supports and drives the adoption of new processes including the application of new AI models and applications; develops and leads operational excellence initiatives that significantly improve the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of projects; mentors and provides guidance to others to identify opportunities and tools to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness; performs compliance audits/assessments.
Sources and manages outside counsel and vendor resources strategically to maximize the efficiency of spending; develops budget for practice group or cross-group initiatives; works within and manages budgets for projects.
Leads and ensures all team members comply with confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, and security procedures.
Embody our culture and a demonstrated commitment to the company’s core values, including a commitment to high ethical standards, unquestioned integrity, and a commitment to advancing the company’s diversity & inclusion commitments.