Principal Corporate Counsel

Overview

Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) has an immediate opening for a highly motivated attorney to handle global investigations and drive high-impact projects to disrupt the operations of sophisticated cybercriminal networks and other online threats, including ransomware, transnational fraud and scams, and the abuse of AI for malicious purposes. This corporate counsel role will focus on driving proactive civil litigation matters, legal and technical innovation, and external outreach and engagements to defend against cyberattacks and threats directed at Microsoft, its customers, and democratic institutions.

Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit

Launched in 2008, Microsoft’s DCU is a global team of attorneys, investigators, and analysts committed to leading the fight against cybercrime to protect our customers and promote global trust in Microsoft. Through partnerships with Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence community, fraud and abuse teams, and engineering support, the DCU develops and employs innovative legal and technical strategies to detect, disrupt, and deter cybercrime and other cyber- and AI-enabled crime. The DCU is a member of the Customer Security & Trust (CST) team within Microsoft Global Affairs (MGA) and Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (CELA).

The Role

The DCU is searching for a highly motivated and experienced attorney to join our agile and dedicated team. Candidates should be technically fluent with particular interest in the DCU’s unique mission and have a growth mindset and demonstrated curiosity in expanding their skills and expertise into new areas and cutting-edge technology, including AI. Technology quickly changes, as do the threats and malicious activity. Candidates also should have experience managing complex litigation matters with minimal oversight and be able to thrive in ambiguity, identify and work across critical stakeholders, and deliver results under time constraints.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to work side-by-side and collaborate with world-class threat intelligence and security professionals, security engineers, and fraud and abuse analysts to investigate complex cybercrime activity, to develop and drive strategies, to build affirmative cases against sophisticated activity and actors operating at the forefront of the constantly evolving cyber threat landscape. Most significantly, you will make the online ecosystem a safer place for users globally.

Responsibilities

• Work independently and on cross-discipline teams on various projects relating to investigations, litigation, and enforcement actions.
• Oversee the collection and production of accurate information in drafting of court filings, law enforcement referrals, and internal/external cybersecurity reporting.
• Develop and implement legal and technical strategies to scale the DCU’s operations, including the ongoing incorporation of AI.
• Provide legal advice on government requests for data and voluntary disclosures of data.
• Engage with government officials, industry representatives, and customers regarding various cybersecurity and cybercrime issues.
• Brief executives and deliver public presentations on complex and sensitive matters.

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Other Requirements

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:

Microsoft Cloud Background Check. This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Preferred/Additional Qualifications

Juris Doctor Degree or international equivalent degree AND 5+ years experience as a practicing attorney

OR equivalent experience.

3+ years experience as an attorney in a specialized practice area (e.g., litigation, investigations, cybercrime).

1+ year(s) in-house counsel experience.

Experience engaging with government officials and law enforcement, including Department of Justice (DOJ), FBI, and foreign equivalents.

Experience handling complex investigations and litigation.

Familiarity with the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C. § 1030), Access Device Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1029), Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (18 U.S.C. § 1961), and Lanham Act (18 U.S.C. § 2320).

Experience developing, evaluating, and executing high-impact, time-sensitive strategic projects, and the ability to adapt to quickly shifting guidance and priorities.

Familiarity with the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) and other laws and regulations governing disclosure of and access to electronically stored data.

Experience with managing projects and partnering with cross-functional teams.

Written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical findings for a broad range of stakeholders, such as law enforcement, legal counsel, and executives.

Fluency in basic internet and DNS concepts, including how computers exchange data, how domain names map to IP addresses, and at a high level how domain names and IP addresses are governed, allocated, and assigned.

A desire to learn, grow, and drive change.

A collaborative and team-first mindset.

Legal Counsel IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $132,200 - $232,800 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 $165,800 - $248,600 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.

Insights from previous hires

Top skills: Attorneys

Common previous titles: Senior Corporate Counsel, Assistant General Counsel, Senior Paralegal, Manager Employee Relations, Senior Business Manager, Senior Specialist, Senior Counsel, Digital Specialist, Senior Director Marketing, Senior