Principal Corporate Counsel, Energy

We are looking for a dynamic, highly motivated, and experienced attorney to help us shape our approach to powering the Microsoft Cloud and the development of new carbon-free electricity generation in the role of Principal Corporate Counsel, Energy.

The legal team supporting the Cloud Operations + Innovation division has an immediate opening for an attorney to support electricity infrastructure agreements, electricity supply, carbon-free electricity power purchase agreements, and related legal support applicable to datacenter development and operations.

Microsoft has set ambitious sustainability targets for carbon-free energy, responsible water use, zero-waste, and ecosystem health (see https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sustainability. This is a unique role for an attorney to work on cutting edge innovative transactions, to help build an environmentally sustainable cloud.

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 delivering a trusted experience to customers and partners worldwide. This is a fast-growing division that is investing in datacenter capabilities and energy projects around the world that can truly make a difference.

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate Degree or Equivalent International Degree

• OR Completion of a Legal Apprenticeship.

• Active license to practice law in a jurisdiction and capable of meeting admission requirements in relevant jurisdiction.

• 5+ years experience as a practicing attorney at a law firm or an in-house legal department

• OR equivalent practice of law.

• Energy infrastructure experience and experience with contract drafting

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

• Energy infrastructure experience including experience with electricity transactions

• Desire and ability to work as part of a diverse and inclusive team.

• Keen business sense, ability to think creatively and strategically, and a sense of humor

• The ability to deliver impact through superior collaboration.

• Flexible and analytical thinker able to quickly, and accurately identify legal issues in a complex environment and to develop solutions by exercising confident judgment in ambiguous situations.

• Results orientation, customer focus, a commitment to providing the highest quality client service, and a desire to develop trusted advisor relationships with business clients.

• Capability to work efficiently, meet demanding deadlines in a fast-paced environment, prioritize workflow, and adjust to frequent fluctuations in workload and business imperatives.

• A passion for working in the technology sector and including a keen interest in applying technology, including AI, to improve legal work and efficiency.

Legal Counsel IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $129,200 - $227,500 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 $162,000 - $243,000 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 June 3, 2024.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

#CELA #CELACO+I

• Electricity infrastructure agreements and electricity supply for new datacenters and datacenter expansions.

• Structuring, drafting, and negotiating complex agreements to support the purchase of carbon-free electricity.

• Identifying and resolving business and legal risks, advising on regulatory matters, and providing input on proposals for regulatory evolutions related to datacenter energy.

• Handling day-to-day project-related legal issues.

• Collaborating with team members within and across organizational boundaries, including business partners, lawyers, legal specialists, government affairs, and PR professionals.

• Exercising independent judgment on legal matters to counsel middle and upper-level management business partners.