Microsoft’s Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (CELA) Global Trade Legal team advances Microsoft’s mission through international trade policies, strategies, and solutions that foster a culture of compliance, trust, and innovation across Microsoft with our partners and customers worldwide.
The Export Controls and Sanctions team within Global Trade CELA focuses on advancing Microsoft’s commitment to compliance with export control and sanctions laws and regulations in the countries where Microsoft operates. The team has an immediate opening for a highly motivated Principal Corporate Counsel to counsel and collaborate with business, engineering, trade compliance, and CELA teams to build and continuously improve durable, risk-based export control and sanctions compliance programs and tools, including through the responsible use of AI. In this role, you will help lead the advancement and implementation of export control compliance strategies and solutions, while also supporting the team’s sanctions matters and contributing directly to Microsoft’s broader trade compliance program. You will partner with stakeholders across all levels and disciplines of the organization to identify and resolve legal and business risks, advise on regulatory and compliance matters, and handle day-to-day project-related legal issues.
To be successful, you will demonstrate sound, principled, and consistent judgment in fast-paced, ambiguous environments; a thorough understanding of export control and sanctions laws and regulations, including those issued and administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and comparable regulatory authorities in relevant jurisdictions; a track record of cross-functional collaboration; a commitment to integrity; solution-driven creativity and a business-enabling mindset; and the ability to bring clarity to complex legal and business issues.
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.
Responsibilities
Serve as a trusted legal advisor to business, engineering, and trade compliance stakeholders, providing strategic counsel on international trade laws, with a particular focus on export control laws and regulations
Counsel key stakeholders on a broad range of export control- and sanctions-related regulatory, commercial, and contracting matters
Oversee export control and sanctions compliance and regulatory matters, including stakeholder escalations and government inquiries and disclosures
Partner with cross-functional teams to develop, implement, and continuously improve export control and sanctions compliance programs
Support the design and implementation of scalable compliance frameworks, operational processes, training, policies, and procedures that enable compliance-by-design
Provide practical, strategic, and timely guidance aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements
Drive risk reduction and operational excellence by identifying opportunities to simplify processes, improve decision-making, and leverage automation
Monitor and assess legal and regulatory developments, communicate business impacts to leadership, and support external advocacy for effective approaches to export control and sanctions policy
Qualifications
Required Qualifications (RQs)
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
Preferred Qualifications (PQs)
- Juris Doctor Degree or international equivalent degree AND 6+ years experience as a practicing attorney in the area of international trade, with an emphasis on U.S. export control laws and regulations, including at a law firm and/or in-house or U.S. government experience OR equivalent experience
Experience advising multinational companies on international trade matters, with an emphasis on export control laws and regulations
Knowledge of other international trade laws and regulations, including EU and UK export control laws and regulations and U.S., EU, and UK sanctions laws and regulations
Experience counseling companies in technology industries, including cloud services, digital services, AI, consumer electronics, and telecommunications
Experience in a combination of law firm, in-house, and U.S. government legal roles
Ability to adapt to evolving business and regulatory priorities, exercise sound judgment in ambiguous situations, and deliver practical, risk-informed solutions
Track record of providing legal advice in consideration of business goals, risk tolerance, and stakeholder priorities
Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with cross-functional teams to drive consensus and achieve results
Hands-on project management skills to efficiently manage multiple and varied mission-critical projects and meet deadlines
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.
Skills Required
- Juris Doctor degree or international equivalent and 4+ years experience as a practicing attorney or equivalent experience.
- Active license to practice law in a jurisdiction and ability to meet admission requirements in relevant jurisdictions.
- 4+ years practicing attorney experience in international trade with emphasis on U.S. export control laws and regulations (law firm, in-house, or government experience).
- Experience advising multinational companies on international trade matters.
- Knowledge of EU and UK export control and U.S., EU, and UK sanctions laws and regulations.
- Experience counseling technology companies (cloud, digital services, AI, consumer electronics, telecommunications).
- Experience across law firm, in-house, and U.S. government legal roles.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment in ambiguous situations and deliver practical, risk-informed solutions.
- Track record of providing legal advice aligned with business goals and stakeholder priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with cross-functional teams and drive consensus.
- Hands-on project management skills to manage multiple mission-critical projects and meet deadlines.
Microsoft Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Microsoft and has not been reviewed or approved by Microsoft.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is presented as broadly competitive overall, with clear role/level/location variation and an emphasis on using posted ranges and band information for apples-to-apples comparisons.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are described as a standout, highlighted by a strong 401(k) match structure and immediate vesting, plus additional plan features for tax-advantaged saving.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-oriented benefits are portrayed as a meaningful strength, with substantial paid parental leave and added supports like back-up care and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
Microsoft Insights
What We Do
At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our mission is grounded in both the world in which we live and the future we strive to create. Today, we live in a mobile-first, cloud-first world, and the transformation we are driving across our businesses is designed to enable Microsoft and our customers to thrive in this world.
