Job Description

Deputy General Counsel

Cooley is seeking a Deputy General Counsel, with a focus on AI and procurement, to join the General Counsel's office.

About Cooley: Cooley is a global law firm with an expansive practice and more than 3,000 employees and partners worldwide. We value and celebrate diverse perspectives and strive to create a workplace where every individual can thrive. At the core of Cooley’s success is the exceptional talent and unwavering spirit of our people. We embrace individuality while fostering a ‘one-firm’ culture where collaboration and creativity thrive. Our people are the foundation of our success and the driving force behind everything we do.

Hybrid Schedule Philosophy: As part of the Cooley culture, we recognize and appreciate the value of being together, in person, to build comradery with others in the office and to be a contributing member of the Cooley office. However, we also appreciate the benefits and flexibility that come from remote working. As such, the default assumption for employees and partners is a hybrid schedule: some in-office presence and some work from home days.

Position summary: Reporting to the firm’s General Counsel (“GC”), the Deputy General Counsel will work closely with the GC and other members of the Office of the General Counsel (“OGC”), as well as other firm leaders, in managing the legal affairs of the firm, with a focus on the firm’s AI implementation and usage and the management and legal oversight of the firm’s business contracts procurement function. The Deputy General Counsel will also manage ethical issues as they arise and will work closely with the GC and senior leadership on special projects. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position responsibilities:

• Assist in the creation of and ensure adherence to AI usage policies across the firm.
• Work closely with Chief Security & Technology Officer and Chief Innovation Officer on evaluating technology vendor data privacy and managing malpractice risks related to AI-generated legal work.
• Ensure the firm remains compliant with state bar ethics rules regarding AI use.
• Work closely with Marketing and Comms teams on AI announcements, press releases and other AI-related messages and communications.
• Advise firm leadership on complex AI matters.
• Serve as key point of contact and advisor to all firm constituents regarding a range of legal, ethics and risk management issues; firm policies, practice, and procedures; and strategic and client relations issues.
• Support the GC in ensuring internal stakeholders are aligned with legal processes and procedures.
• Keep current on developments in law and regulation regarding professional responsibility and firm risk management and other issues.
• Assist in claims reporting and administration.
• Provide strategic legal guidance to internal teams on litigation, pre-litigation, and other loss prevention and management matters.
• Provide litigation support, as and when needed.
• Work effectively across business units and internal functions to resolve complex risk management issues.
• Assist in developing and providing risk management training to all firm personnel.
• Identify regulatory risks to the firm, report those to the GC and formulate an effective response to those risks.
• Assist in the development and implementation of strategic plans and specific projects for risk management.
• Act as primary resource in the OGC for all in-house business contracts questions and concerns. Oversee in-house business contracts attorneys who draft, review and negotiate vendor business contracts, ensuring all contracts support business objectives and are in alignment with policies of the firm.
• Provide support to the firm’s GC and senior leadership on projects and matters, as requested.
• All other duties as assigned or required.

Skills and experience:

Required:

• After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
• Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required (covering multiple time zones)
• Some travel required
• JD from an ABA-accredited law school and an active bar license in good standing
• 10+ years of legal practice

Preferred:

• Litigation experience a plus
• Prior experience in law firm risk management as well as prior deputy-level GC counsel experience

Competencies:

• Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with all levels of the firm’s business professionals, paralegals and attorneys
• Outstanding communication skills, both in 1:1 and group environments is a must
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build working relationships at all levels of management and across departments
• Must exhibit a creative and practical approach to problem solving that is informed by the firm’s strategic, business and professional needs
• Must be team-oriented, with excellent counseling, organizational and analytical skills
• Demonstrate a commitment to maintaining the highest level of confidentiality, personal integrity, ethics and dedication
• Must possess the ability to work well under pressure and handle numerous responsibilities simultaneously with diligence while providing practical, business-driven advice
• Judicious, fast-thinking and able to excel in a fast-paced environment
• Must demonstrate a high emotional intelligence and be culturally sensitive
• Strong legal research and analysis abilities as well as comprehensive writing skills required

Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices.

EOE.

The expected annual pay range for this position with a full-time schedule is $375,000 to $475,000. Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.

We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 20 days of vacation, 10 days of sick and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.