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About The Role

Cisco’s in-house litigation team includes our commercial litigators, IP litigators, HR attorneys and specialists, and paralegals. Our Commercial Litigation team is responsible for the company’s commercial litigation matters globally, and works closely with Cisco’s product, engineering, sales, finance, marketing and other business teams on disputes and our compliance and information security teams on internal investigations. The position will report to our Director of Commercial Litigation, and will be responsible for handling a wide of variety of matters across geographies and practice areas, and will work closely with business functions across the company.

What You’ll Do :
We are looking for a whip smart, highly strategic and business savvy candidate that can find innovative and practical solutions to resolve issues. The ideal candidate is highly collaborative and proactive, and has excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to synthesize complex legal issues, assess legal risks and provide clear counseling and advice to executives.
You will be part of a fast-moving, highly impactful, collaborative legal team and you will play a leadership role in all aspects of our commercial disputes. You will lead strategic and day-to-day litigation management of matters from initial demand to trial, and through appeal. You will work on a wide variety of issues ranging from contract and business torts to IP, trade secret, and licensing, and to regulatory issues.

Responsibilities include :
Management of all aspects of Cisco’s docket of pre-litigation demands and disputes in courts, alternative dispute forums and other tribunals throughout the world.
Selection, retention and management of outside counsel; establish and manage litigation budgets that align Cisco’s interest with the interest of outside counsel and maximize likelihood of successful outcomes.
Provide business-driven counseling to mitigate legal risk in a wide scope of disputes, including contract and tort claims typical of a multi-national company with numerous lines of business and 70,000+ employees.
Draft settlement agreements and operationalizing process improvements.
Lead internal investigations involving allegations of misconduct, fraud, and violations of national and international laws.
Liaise with government and law enforcement agencies to respond to subpoenas or requests for information, and make criminal referrals.
Develop and refine company policies and compliance efforts, particularly in protection of Cisco’s IP and trade secrets, and in e-Discovery.
Counsel finance and business functions on risk assessment and dispute resolution strategies.
Work with Cisco’s Risk Management Department on insurance coverage and retention issues, and negotiate with carriers on coverage for claims.

Minimum Qualifications

Juris Doctorate (JD) with a strong academic record
6-8+ years experience managing significant commercial litigation matters as plaintiff and defendant, including through mediation, arbitration, or trial, at a law firm or in-house legal department.
Experience managing internal investigations, responding to government data requests, and communicating with government agencies like the U.S. Attorney’s Office, SEC, or DOJ is a requirement.
Outstanding client management, advocacy and organizational skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to translate complex legal principles and issues to business partners.
Demonstrated experience working in high functioning teams and ability to develop and sustain trusted advisor relationships with business functions.
Highly collaborative with colleagues, excellent team player, and experience championing change within organizations
Candidate must be capable of autonomously running docket of cases and providing practical advice and counseling.
Candidate is comfortable working independently, and exhibits the poise, presence, judgment and decision-making skills to advise senior level management on matters involving legal and reputational risk.
Quick and courageous learner, no ego, curious and inclusive and welcoming of different perspectives and experiences
Understanding and experience using e-Discovery is critical, including collection, review, and production of documents.
Location is Cisco’s main campus in San Jose; occasional travel expected.

Desired Experience

International litigation or arbitration experience.
Basic knowledge in privacy and data breaches.
Basic knowledge of US bankruptcy law and practice.
Experience litigating cases involving sensitive PR issues.

Why Cisco
WeAreCisco, where each person is unique, but we bring our talents to work as a team and make a difference powering an expansive future for all.

We adopt digital, and help our customers implement change in their digital businesses. Some may think we’re “old” (36 years strong) and only about hardware, but we’re also a software company. And a security company. We even invented an intuitive network that adapts, predicts, learns and protects. No other company can do what we do – you can’t put us in a box!

But “Digital Transformation” is an empty buzz phrase without a culture that allows for innovation, creativity, and yes, even failure (if you learn from it.)

Day to day, we focus on the give and take. We give our best, give our egos a break, and give of ourselves (because giving back is built into our DNA.) We take accountability, bold steps, and take difference to heart. Because without diversity of thought and a dedication to equality for all, there is no moving forward.

So, you have colorful hair? Don’t care. Tattoos? Show off your ink. Like polka dots? That’s cool. Pop culture geek? Many of us are. Passion for technology and world changing? Be you, with us!

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.