Assistant General Counsel, AI, Emerging Technologies, & Strategic Agreements

RAND Corporation; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 178,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid time-off

Job summary

RAND Corporation’s Office of the General Counsel seeks an Assistant General Counsel specializing in AI, emerging technologies, and strategic agreements. You will draft and negotiate commercial contracts, advise on IP, and support RAND’s research and procurement activities from RAND’s Arlington, VA or Santa Monica, CA offices.

The role reports to the VP, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary and requires a J.D., bar licensure, and the ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance.

Qualifications

• Six or more years as a practicing attorney with tech, IP or transactional experience.

Responsibilities

• Advise on technology transactions and AI/ emerging technology matters.

Skills

6+ years experience

Detail-oriented

Problem solver

Collaborative

Travel willingness

Education

J.D. and licensed to practice law

Job description

Job Type

Regular Assistant General Counsel, AI, Emerging Technologies, & Strategic Agreements

Opportunity Summary

The RAND Corporation’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is seeking a highly motivated, professional attorney to join our Legal Strategy & Advancement Team as the Assistant General Counsel focusing on AI, Emerging Technologies & Strategic Agreements.

Reports directly to the Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary.

Your core responsibilities would include:

• technology transactions involving AI and other emerging technologies
• drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, IP agreements, and licensing arrangements
• helping develop new ways of leveraging RAND’s IP
• addressing novel challenges as they arise

About RAND OGC

We are a high-performing team of talented legal professionals that support the entire enterprise – everything we do is for the purpose of enabling RAND to deliver on its mission. While each of our team members has specialist skills, we are also intellectually curious generalists who engage across the full range of issues and opportunities experienced by RAND.

Even as RAND researchers leverage and evaluate the most advanced frontier AI models and capabilities in tackling the world’s most complex public policy challenges, our team has fully adopted leading edge AI legal tools to enhance and advance our legal services – with continuous exploration of new capabilities and a willingness to challenge longstanding assumptions and practices.

We combine this with high levels of engagement across the organization and collaboration within the team and with the people we support, enabling us to confidently provide thoughtful, practical, and actionable advice at the speed of a fast-moving organization.

RAND OGC has three levels of attorney positions: Counsel, Assistant General Counsel, and Associate General Counsel, reflecting progressively increasing levels of established skill, experience, and responsibility.

The Role

As part of an OGC team focused on advancing RAND’s mission through innovative solutions, the primary responsibilities of this role will include:

• Advising on technology transactions and emerging technology matters, including artificial intelligence, digital assets, data use, and related legal issues affecting RAND’s research and operations
• Drafting, negotiating, and managing a wide range of commercial agreements, including licensing agreements, NDAs, vendor agreements, technology agreements, and similar transactions
• Advising on intellectual property matters, including IP strategy, protection of RAND’s IP assets, patents, and negotiation of IP-related provisions in research and commercial agreements
• Advocacy with research sponsors on behalf of RAND in conjunction with research division leadership, including periodic in-person visits to sponsor locations
• Collaborating with the Director of Contracts and other RAND operations personnel to establish and update high-quality, agile processes for the review and negotiation of contracts and agreements
• Proactively identifying risks and working with stakeholders to design and implement solutions
• Tasking and directing outside counsel as required
• Advising staff on compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Special projects assigned by the General Counsel

Other responsibilities may include:

• Advising RAND’s Development function with respect to the terms of charitable gifts and grants
• Advising and training on export control and trade compliance matters, including ITAR, EAR, and related regulatory frameworks applicable to RAND’s domestic and international activities, including AUKUS
• Advising on federal government contracting matters, including FAR/DFARS compliance and related procurement issues

Qualifications

• At least six (6) years of experience as a practicing attorney with some combination of substantive experience in technology transactions, intellectual property, commercial agreements, or related transactional areas
• Detail-oriented, works well under pressure, and has an affinity for RAND’s Mission
• Proven problem-solver who takes ownership of assigned areas of responsibility
• Demonstrated ability to confidently provide sound judgment even in ambiguous situations
• Collaborative, collegial, and skilled at building consensus with diverse professional groups
• Demonstrated desire to take on increasing levels of responsibility and confidence to engage in novel legal issues that may be outside prior experience
• Ability to identify priorities and adjust as necessary to meet unanticipated needs
• Ability to travel occasionally to other RAND offices (primarily in the U.S.)

Preferred / “Plus” Factors

• Experience working in-house for a technology company, research institution, or organization engaged in emerging technology work
• Experience working for (or with) a non-profit organization
• Substantive experience pertaining to any of the following: federal government contracting, FAR/DFARS compliance, or government procurement matters; export control regulations (EAR, ITAR) or trade compliance programs; cybersecurity; any of the “other responsibilities” described above

Education & Licensing

J.D. and licensed to practice law (in good standing). If not licensed to practice law in the state of employment, must qualify under the Supreme Court of Virginia’s Rule 1A:5 or the requirements for Registered In-House Counsel for the State of California (as applicable). Licensure in California, Virginia, Pennsylvania, D.C., or New York is a plus.

Security Clearance

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance and DHS Fitness. Accordingly, U.S. citizenship is required.

Location

This role is based in either RAND’s Arlington, VA (Washington DC area) office or Santa Monica, CA (Los Angeles area) headquarters and is eligible for RAND’s hybrid work environment. Candidates should expect to work from a RAND office about three days per weekon average.

Salary Range

$177,500 - $235,000 RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity.The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RAND is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND’s research and analysis address issues that impact people everywhere, including security, health, education, sustainability, growth, and development. RAND has approximately 1,750 people working in offices in the United States, Europe, and Australia, with annual revenues of $470 million. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. Our research is sponsored by government agencies, international organizations, and foundations. We rely on philanthropic support to pursue visionary ideas; address critical problems that are under-researched; and devise innovative approaches for solving acute, complex, or provocative policy challenges. RAND values objectivity and integrity in both its research processes and internal interactions. We emphasize a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff. RAND's reputation is built on quality and objectivity. RAND provides an exciting intellectual environment and opportunities for career growth with challenging assignments. As collaboration in interdisciplinary teams is an essential operating principle at RAND, we hire highly qualified talent and empower our people to do their best work by fostering a culture in which different views, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued and respected, and staff have a sense of belonging with their colleagues, fair access to opportunities, and feel comfortable bringing their best selves to work each day. As part of our commitment to Equal Opportunity Employment, we welcome all applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences to apply for this exciting opportunity. RAND is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact Human Resources at [phone] or at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.