Legal Counsel

Nokia; Finland; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Nokia IP Legal provides specialist advice to Nokia businesses, ensuring customer contracts, R&D collaborations and open-source usage protect Nokia’s patent portfolio. We seek a seasoned lawyer with a strong background in open-source software, IP/tech law, and AI-enabled workflows.

The role emphasizes global, cross‑functional support, partnering with licensing and engineering teams to translate complex legal concepts into practical guidance for stakeholders worldwide.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in law with 4–5 years post-qualification experience.
• Solid experience in open‑source software and IP/tech law, including drafting, negotiating and executing complex agreements.
• Strong communication skills and professional English proficiency for cross‑functional work.
• Ability to work independently within a global team.
• AI-native mindset; able to select appropriate AI tools in context.

Responsibilities

• Be the go-to legal contact in open-source software matters and help lead Nokia’s open-source compliance program.
• Advise across IP and technology-related legal questions for customer sales, procurement, M&A, and transactions.
• Support Nokia’s licensing business on open-source and related legal issues.
• Collaborate with engineering, business, and development teams across cultures and time zones.

Skills

Open-source software

IP and tech law

English fluency

AI tools literacy

Global team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in law

Job description

Nokia's intellectual property is central to the competitiveness of its products and services and to the revenue generated through Technology Standards' patent licensing activities. Because commercial decisions in one part of the business can affect IP value elsewhere, IP Legal provides specialist advice across all Nokia businesses, ensuring that customer contracts, R&D collaborations, and open-source usage do not erode the value of Nokia's patent portfolio or the businesses' own IP. IP Legal also includes a trademarks team, which manages Nokia's trademark, domain name, and design portfolios worldwide. Our team's key responsibilities include providing specialist IP advice to all Nokia businesses and corporate functions, covering customer sales and procurement, R&D collaboration, IP regulatory matters, open-source software, and tax optimization, as well as training the wider Nokia legal community on IP matters and running effective IP compliance processes

• Be the go-to legal support contact in open-source software legal matters, taking ownership of and growing your expertise as you help develop and lead Nokia’s internal open-source compliance program;
• Build your global perspective by advising on open-source software and other IP and technology-related legal questions relating to customer sales, procurement, M&A, and other transactions across the Nokia Group;
• Sharpen your advisory skills by working closely with Nokia's licensing business, supporting it on open-source and IP-related legal questions arising from its technology licensing activities; and
• Broaden your commercial acumen by working closely with the team on business development, offering legal support in the development and R&D related aspects of the business.

• Master’s degree in law and at least 4 to 5 years of relevant post-qualification experience, e.g., in a law firm or in‑house positions, and qualifications to practice in at least one key jurisdiction in which Nokia operates;
• Solid experience in legal matters related to open‑source software and in advising on intellectual property and technology-related legal matters, including drafting, negotiating, and executing complex legal arrangements in a global context;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including professional-level fluency in written and spoken English, and the ability to move fluently between legal, technical, and business language, translating complex legal and technical concepts into practical guidance for stakeholders across legal, engineering, and business functions; and
• Ability to work independently as a member of a global team and resolve problems within your own area of responsibility; and
• An AI-native mindset: comfortable using AI tools in your daily legal work, with the judgment to identify the right tool for the right task in the right context, rather than using AI for its own sake.

It would be nice if you also had:

• Experience with and comfort navigating (compliance) tools, including working through ongoing alignment with the development team on how the tool and related processes should work together;
• Experience in partnering day‑to‑day with engineering and other technical teams, not just legal colleagues, across multiple cultures and time zones;
• A track record of using AI or automation to streamline legal or compliance workflows, and curiosity to explore how such tools could improve our open‑source compliance processes specifically

Advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

Learn more about life at Nokia.

Our recruitment process

We act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Our employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.

If you’re interested in this role but don’t meet every listed requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enrich our teams, and you may be just the right candidate for this or another opportunity.

The length of the recruitment process may vary depending on the specific role’s requirements. We strive to ensure a smooth and inclusive experience for all candidates. Discover more about the recruitment process at Nokia.