Senior Corporate Counsel - Patents
About The Position
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.
Requirements
- 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.
Nice To Haves
- 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
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
Benefits
- Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
