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Overview

Microsoft’s Corporate and External Legal Affairs (CELA) team has an exciting opportunity supporting Microsoft’s Cloud Operations + Innovation division to build hyperscale infrastructure for its rapidly expanding global cloud.

As the Senior Corporate Counsel- Construction, you will support the design, procurement, construction contracting, and project delivery for Microsoft’s datacenters.

Cloud Operations + Innovation is the team behind one of the world’s largest cloud infrastructures, responsible for operating all Microsoft online products and services, including AI tools such as Copilot. Our focus is on smart growth, high efficiency, and deliver trusted experience to customers and partners worldwide. This is a fast-growing division that is investing in datacenter capabilities and innovative projects around the world that can truly make a difference.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, and we’re 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.

Responsibilities

Legal Advice and Counsel

• Providing legal oversight for a high volume of complex design, construction, and procurement related agreements in support of cloud and datacenter infrastructure.
• Partnering closely with business teams in negotiations with contractors, designers, consultants, and key suppliers; advising business partners on risk allocation, deal structure, compliance, and other aspects of contracts.
• Providing day-to-day legal support for active construction projects, including counseling on contract administration, notices, scope management, and claim and dispute resolution and avoidance.
• Managing outside counsel and specialized advisors on construction matters, including commercial advice, contract negotiation, and dispute management.
• Accurately identify legal issues while adapting to complex environmental factors and develop solutions that are agile in ambiguous situations.

Operational Excellence

• Supporting the development and continuous improvement of construction contracting playbooks, templates, and clause libraries; driving process improvements to improve quality and reduce contract cycle time; collaborating with business teams in the development of new deal structures.
• Developing trusted advisor relationships with business clients and executives by providing practical, risk-based guidance that supports timely project delivery.
• Work efficiently to meet demanding deadlines and prioritize workflow often to adjust to frequent fluctuations in workload and business imperatives.

Communication And Culture

• Collaborating with team members within and across organizational boundaries, including engineering, procurement, finance, compliance and other teams.
• Approach day-to-day work with curiosity and flexibility.
• Demonstrate and share enthusiasm for taking on different job responsibilities to adapt to the fast pace of innovation in the datacenter infrastructure industry.
• Embody our Culture and Values

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree or international equivalent degree AND 6+ 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

• 4+ years’ experience advising on construction law and complex commercial transactions, including developing, negotiating, and documenting design and construction contracts and counseling on construction disputes/claims.
• 4+ years’ experience with large infrastructure projects and construction contracting, including A/E services agreements and different construction delivery models (e.g., EPC and design-build).
• Experience using AI to improve legal work and efficiency.

#CELA

Legal Counsel IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $147,000 - $258,000 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 $185,900 - $278,900 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.