Vendor Management Counsel

Wilson Sonsini•Palo Alto, CA

5d•$147,050 - $220,800•Hybrid

About The Position

Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises worldwide. We represent companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them. The firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys in 17 offices: 13 in the U.S., two in China, and two in Europe. Our broad spectrum of practices and entrepreneurial spirit allow exceptional opportunities for professional achievement and career growth. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide. The firm's Office of the General Counsel manages the full spectrum of legal matters arising from the firm's own operations—from commercial and vendor relationships to regulatory compliance, employment, and risk management. This is an opportunity to join a sophisticated internal legal team that operates at the intersection of law, technology, and business. In this new role, you will be the fifth attorney in the OGC, working closely with other members of the OGC and supporting all business functions, including Information Security, IT, Innovation, Finance and Human Resources. This role can be hybrid or 100% remote. The Role: Our Vendor Management Counsel will serve as the primary lawyer for the firm's commercial contracting function, managing agreements with a wide range of vendors, suppliers, and service providers. The role involves significant volume and variety—from routine procurement agreements to complex technology agreements involving generative AI—and requires a lawyer who can work efficiently at scale while exercising sound judgment on risk and escalation.

Requirements

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school; active bar admission in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
Minimum 3 years of experience drafting and negotiating a variety of commercial contracts, Including technology agreements
Strong drafting, negotiation and business-partnering skills
Familiarity with generative AI contracting concepts, including data rights and restrictions, acceptable use policies, confidentiality of inputs and outputs, indemnification for AI-generated content, and IP ownership
Demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of matters with competing deadlines
Business-oriented mindset—able to identify and communicate risk clearly, propose practical solutions, and know when to escalate

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in an in-house legal department, law firm technology transactions practice, or legal managed services organization
Familiarity with enterprise procurement and vendor management processes
Working knowledge of information security and data privacy frameworks (ISO, NIST, GDPR, CCPA/CPRA) and their intersection with vendor and technology agreements
Experience with AI governance considerations, including the EU AI Act or emerging U.S. state AI legislation
Familiarity with contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems and ability to leverage AI tools to work more efficiently

Responsibilities

Serve as primary lawyer for the firm's vendor and supplier contracts across all business functions
Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including technology license agreements, SaaS and cloud services agreements, professional services agreements, statements of work, and general procurement contracts
Lead contracting for technology and AI-related engagements, including agreements involving generative AI platforms, AI-assisted legal tools, data processing, and third-party model access—advising on data rights, acceptable use, confidentiality, output ownership, and liability allocation
Coordinate with client-facing attorneys specializing in privacy, data security, and technology transactions on matters requiring specialized expertise or escalation
Partner with Finance, IT, Information Security, and other business stakeholders to identify legal risks and align contract terms with internal policies
Support and maintain standard contract templates, playbooks, and clause guidance tailored to the firm's risk tolerance and operational needs
Monitor relevant legal and regulatory developments—particularly in AI governance, data privacy, and technology contracting—and advise the General Counsel on implications for the firm's contracts and vendor relationships
Work closely with contract administrator to manage the firm’s contract portfolio and enhance the firm’s contract management processes