Senior Paralegal

Microsoft is “all in” on open source and open source AI models. Open datasets, open source AI models, open source software, and standards collaborations are fueling the current AI revolution. Our Open Source, Standards, Open ML & Data (OSSOM – pronounced “Awesome”) team has an immediate need for a Senior Paralegal to help scale best-in-class processes and programs. This role presents a unique opportunity to help Microsoft meet the AI moment while continuing its firm commitment to open ecosystems.

The OSSOM team is a small group of highly motivated, deeply curious legal professionals who enjoy learning from each other, like working collaboratively, and have a commitment to legal innovation. As a Senior Paralegal on our team, you will help Microsoft navigate and succeed in this open environment and play a vital role in building tools and designing processes that shape the future of legal practice in these areas.

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

• Collaborate closely with the attorneys on our team to develop subject matter expertise and provide legal review in the areas of open source, open data, open source AI, and standards.
• Partner with engineering and other teams across Microsoft to drive legal compliance and efficiencies in Microsoft’s systems, processes, and documentation to enable Microsoft to engage in open source, standards, open ML, and responsible data use for AI training at scale.
• Work with our team to understand, analyze, evaluate, and improve our systems and processes to catch edge cases, find opportunities to scale, and increase client understanding and compliance.
• Collaborate with experts across the company on issues such as patents, copyright, privacy, antitrust, trade, and corporate law to help build and improve our guidance, policies, and programs.

• Embody our Culture & Values

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree AND 4+ years experience in paralegal, legal administration, or relevant area
  • OR 7+ years experience in paralegal, legal administration, or relevant area.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience with patents, copyright, software licensing, or technology transactions.
• Interest in open source, standards, open source AI, and data (experience a plus).
• Ability to collaborate effectively across diverse groups and communities as part of a geographically distributed team.
• Self-driven with an ability to work independently while also being a collaborator.
• Excellent communication and drafting skills.
• A bias for action and driving client-focused results.
• Ability to learn new systems quickly and escalate issues appropriately.
• Detail-oriented and able to identify and recommend improved solutions.
• A bias for being curious, asking questions, and proposing improvements to scale rather than simply following an established process (let’s get smarter together!)

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, 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 and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.