Principal Counsel, IP — IP Special Deals & Analytics

Socket.dev; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 350,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple is seeking a seasoned Principal Counsel for its IP Special Deals & Analytics team in Cupertino. You will lead strategy at the intersection of intellectual property, competition law, and regulatory policy, guiding high-stakes matters with global impact.

You will advise internal clients, manage multifaceted FRAND and antitrust matters, and shape positions across jurisdictions. The role demands independence, strong judgment, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• J.D. and admission to at least one US state bar.
• 12+ years of legal experience with substantial focus on IP litigation and competition/antitrust law.
• Deep familiarity with global competition frameworks.
• Track record of managing complex, multi-jurisdictional legal matters with significant business impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation and execution of strategy at the interface of IP, competition, and regulatory law.
• Advise internal clients on complex matters involving platform regulation, FRAND obligations, and antitrust enforcement actions with IP dimensions.
• Develop creative, pragmatic approaches to highly complex and novel issues while balancing risk.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders with strong written and verbal communication skills.

Skills

IP litigation

Competition/antitrust law

Global competition frameworks

Multijurisdictional matters

Strategic advisory

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming great products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. As part of Apple's IP Special Deals & Analytics team, you'll uphold Apple's high ethical and corporate standards and defend our intellectual property. Working for a company that invents entire categories means you'll creatively apply your deep legal expertise to unique challenges that often involve unsettled aspects of the law. We're looking for a seasoned IP and competition law practitioner to lead the development and execution of strategic approaches for navigating the IP dimensions of platform regulation, antitrust enforcement, and related litigation matters worldwide. You'll be a subject matter expert at the intersection of IP and competition law, serving as a trusted advisor who can independently assess the global landscape, shape Apple's positions, identify and manage risks, and drive strategic opportunities to improve outcomes. You must have outstanding initiative, judgment, and written and verbal communication skills.

Description

As Principal Counsel on Apple's IP Special Deals & Analytics team, you'll lead the formulation and execution of strategy at the interface of IP, competition, and regulatory law. You'll serve as a senior advisor to internal clients, providing counsel on complex, high-stakes matters involving platform regulation, FRAND obligations, and antitrust enforcement actions with IP dimensions. You'll develop creative, pragmatic approaches to highly complex and novel issues, often where established precedent does not exist, while maintaining an acceptable level of legal risk. The position requires a high degree of self-sufficiency, independent judgment, and a results-oriented approach.

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school; admission to at least one US state bar.
• 12+ years of legal experience, with substantial focus on IP litigation and competition/antitrust law.
• Deep familiarity with global competition frameworks.
• Track record of managing complex, multi-jurisdictional legal matters with significant business impact.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in-house at a technology company or at a top-tier firm representing technology clients.
• Technical background or demonstrated ability to quickly grasp complex technical subject matter.
• Experience with platform regulation, FRAND issues, standards-related IP policies, and engaging with regulatory authorities.
• Experience advising on legislative and regulatory policy initiatives.