Description:

Overview:
The Corporate and External Legal Affairs (CELA) organization is hiring a Principal Corporate Counsel to provide legal support for Microsoft's Competition and Markets Regulation Group. This team plays a critical role, helping the company comply with the competition and antitrust laws around the world, obtain regulatory clearance for mergers and acquisitions, and respond to investigations. They engage with regulators, government policymakers, academics, and others to consider the role of competition and antitrust law in the face of evolving technology, and our changing economy.

Success in the role requires a broad understanding of our industry, our customers, our technology, the political environment, and the law. To help this team solve problems, you will need to effectively collaborate and communicate across disciplines.

Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, and we are dedicated to this mission across every aspect of our company. Our Culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. Join us and help shape the future of the world.

Qualifications:
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.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications:

2+ years' experience as a practicing attorney in competition and antitrust law
2+ years' experience in government, or in-house counsel, or both
Knowledge and experience in multi-jurisdictional merger control or competition investigations

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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until 5pm pacific standard time, October 24, 2025.

By applying to this position, you are being considered for multiple like positions. Position specifics, including hiring team, location and position details, will be determined during the interview process. The job description should make clear the job responsibilities and required qualifications.

#CELA

Responsibilities:
Legal Expertise, Analysis, Research and Counsel

Demonstrate understanding of competition and antitrust law, and litigation principles.
Review, interpret, and analyze legal information.
Support work in competition and antitrust matters.
Identify and anticipate highly complex legal and/or other issues.
Serve as a business partner and advisor to senior executives on the potential impact of competition and antitrust laws on the business.
Identify and engage stakeholders in CELA and escalate and drive decisions.

Regulatory Compliance

Partner with one or more major business groups to ensure that the requirements of applicable market regulations and/or commitments are implemented in Microsoft's products and services.
Develop understanding of the requirements and engagement techniques to clarify those requirements when they are opaque.
Communicate requirements to the teams implementing them in Microsoft products and services, including how to interpret requirements within the context of the particular Microsoft product or service.
Work with Microsoft senior leaders to explain and support Microsoft's compliance decisions externally to regulators and others.
Support internal processes to ensure compliance across time and product releases.

Solution Implementation

Develop solutions that anticipate and mitigate legal and other risks.
Manage and develop relationships with outside counsel and clients to create strategic and innovative solutions that address issues and achieve business objectives.
Provide feedback and evaluate process improvements that increase efficiencies.

Communication & Culture

Take an active role in collaboration with internal teams and senior leaders to ensure alignment.
Develop relationships with external legal professionals, academics, government officials, customers, and/or partners to protect and advocate Microsoft's interests and drive results.
Demonstrate a global mindset through learning about and understanding global cultures, including similarities and differences, and work across organizational, functional, and geographic boundaries to drive communications, business strategies and multi-geography projects and teams; and adapt to a highly matrixed environment.
Embody our culture and values.