Commercial Counsel

About X

X is Alphabet’s moonshot factory with a mission of inventing and launching moonshot technologies that could someday make the world a radically better place. We are a diverse group of inventors and entrepreneurs who build and launch technologies that aim to improve the lives of millions, even billions, of people. Our goal: 10x impact on the world’s most intractable problems, not just 10% improvement. We approach projects that have the aspiration and riskiness of research with the speed and ambition of a startup. As an innovation engine, X focuses on repeatedly turning breakthrough-technology ideas into the foundations for large, sustainable businesses.

About the Team 

The X Legal team works on the most exciting legal issues since our moonshots require creative and proactive guidance. We challenge ourselves to think big and differently in providing solutions and strategies for our clients—at X, the legal team can be audacious too! Our team aims to accelerate X while demonstrating values of respect, wellbeing, creativity, integrity, and continued development.

About the Role

X is looking for a hybrid Commercial, Product, and Employment Counsel.  In this unique role you will serve as a versatile legal partner to world-class innovators, facilitating partnerships while managing the human capital risks essential to building a company. You will support the entire lifecycle of a moonshot—from initial product development and early commercialization to navigating complex labor issues as projects prepare to become independent businesses. You will draft and negotiate non-standard agreements for disruptive technology while providing strategic employment guidance to our People Operations teams.

How You Will Make 10X Impact:

• Commercial and Product: Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of complex agreements independently, including inbound services, licenses, and collaboration agreements.
• Product Counseling: Advise Project Leadership and Product Managers on legal risks, IP strategy, privacy, and data security related to "10x" technologies.
• Employment Strategy: Provide pragmatic solutions for a broad range of employment issues, including HR policies, personnel actions, wage and hour compliance, and contingent workforce needs.
• Dispute and Risk Management: Manage general and employment-related disputes, supervise outside counsel, and lead internal investigations concerning code of conduct or company policy.
• Process Innovation: Support the continuous improvement of legal processes and standard form agreements to help X projects move faster and scale efficiently.
• Strategic Advisory: Foster client awareness of legal issues via counseling and strategic education, ensuring compliance with U.S. and international laws, including privacy, data security, and employment laws and regulations.

What You Should Have:

• Juris Doctor (JD): Degree with a strong academic record.
• Bar Admission: Admitted to the California Bar and in good standing (or authorized to practice as registered in-house counsel).
• Experience: 5+ years of relevant legal experience, including a mix of commercial transactions, product counseling, and labor/employment law (law firm and/or in-house).
• Labor and Workplace Compliance: Working knowledge of federal and California employment laws (Title VII, FMLA, ADA, NLRA) and experience providing advice to HR and management on a broad range of employment legal issues.
• Commercial Counseling Experience: Demonstrated experience with complex commercial agreements and related IP provisions, including related to AI/ML and software technologies
• Product Counseling: Demonstrated experience advising product and engineering teams through the full development lifecycle, including areas related to AI/ML, licensing, regulations, privacy by design, and data security. 
• Operational Excellence: Ability to prioritize and manage numerous simultaneous projects under deadline pressure in a high-ambiguity environment and ability to work outside business hours when needed 
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex legal concepts for non-legal stakeholders.
• AI Literacy: Ability and enthusiasm to leverage cutting-edge developments in AI to enable smarter and more efficient work processes.

It’d Be Great If You Also Have These:

• Direct or indirect (e.g., via a secondment) in-house experience 
• Ability to establish and maintain strong relationships within the organization's legal department and across business units 
• In-house experience managing general litigation matters
• Desire to find flexible, creative solutions to complex and difficult challenges, and work in a high-ambiguity, high-change environment
• Experience handling international employment or immigration law matters

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $210,000 - $300,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits.