Senior Counsel, Litigation

Airbnb; California (MO); On-site; USD 210,000 - 258,000; Full time

Job summary

Airbnb’s Legal team is seeking an experienced Senior Counsel, Litigation based in California to own high-stakes disputes, investigations, and strategic counseling from assessment to resolution. You will lead outside counsel and partner with compliance, public policy, and product teams in a fast-paced, global environment.

You should have 8+ years of significant litigation experience, a California bar in good standing, and a track record across commercial tort, regulatory, and tech sector matters.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of significant litigation experience with end-to-end ownership of complex matters.
• Active California bar membership in good standing; Florida bar admission is a plus.
• Background in commercial tort, regulatory, tax controversy, class action, and trial work.
• Experience preparing witnesses, including senior leaders, for deposition and trial.
• Track record of managing outside counsel on high-exposure matters.
• Time spent at or representing technology companies strongly preferred.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to handle sensitive matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to advocate firmly while remaining open-minded.
• Organized, self-directed, able to juggle multiple matters in a fast-paced environment.
• Coordinated proceeding work a plus, including California JCCPs.
• Interest in expanding practice scope; attention to detail and comfort with ambiguity.
• Passion for travel and home sharing; appreciation for the Airbnb community.
• Humor, low drama, and a bias toward getting things done.
• Willing to travel several times per quarter depending on case needs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic leader on a diverse portfolio of complex litigation and pre-litigation matters across numerous jurisdictions.
• Handle highly sensitive matters with judgment, discretion, and care for everyone involved.
• Manage outside counsel across the full life of a case: budget, strategy, work product, and results.
• Drive matters through every stage, from early case assessment and witness preparation through depositions, mediation, and settlement recommendations to leadership.
• Proactively identify and resolve potential disputes, giving business clients practical risk mitigation advice that supports their objectives.
• Partner with compliance, public policy, and legal colleagues inside and outside Airbnb to solve problems that cross functions and borders.
• Analyze legal risk across the business, including in the development of new products and services.
• Build processes and procedures that scale with a rapidly growing global business.

Skills

Litigation

Regulatory affairs

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

J.D. degree

California bar admission

Bar admission in Florida (plus)

Job description

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

Airbnb’s Legal Department is a global team that will require working with diverse international colleagues around the world. The successful candidate will be someone who is adaptable, collaborative and embodies Airbnb’s Core Values. Candidates will be required to approach complex legal issues with a balance for local and global perspectives, while being adaptable to cultural differences and nuances. A genuine and demonstrated interest in Airbnb and a commitment to ethics, integrity and fostering a workplace that emphasizes diversity and belonging is a must.

The Community You Will Join

Airbnb’s Legal team embodies the company’s innovative, forward-thinking spirit. At the frontier of the new sharing economy, Airbnb is breaking new ground in matters of policy, law, and government relations. Where some see obstacles, we see the opportunity to find creative, practical solutions, right at the cutting edge. Our adventurous, fast-moving legal team is committed to building a team of talented, collaborative and self-motivated legal professionals across the globe who believe in Airbnb’s mission and leading as a 21st century company.

The Difference You Will Make

Airbnb is looking for an experienced litigator to join our Risk and Regulatory group. Reporting to Airbnb's Lead Counsel, Litigation, Risk and Regulatory, the Senior Counsel, Litigation will own high-stakes disputes, investigations, and strategic counseling from first assessment through resolution, directing outside counsel and shaping our approach at every stage.

This role is for you if you work well with business partners, bring a steady and positive presence, and thrive in a collaborative environment. Where some see obstacles, you see room for creative, practical solutions that move Airbnb's global mission forward. You are energized by complex disputes, comfortable engaging regulatory and administrative bodies, and ready to be a trusted voice on the matters that matter most. This role is based in California.

A Typical Day

As Senior Counsel, Litigation you will:

• Serve as a strategic leader on a diverse portfolio of complex litigation and pre-litigation matters across numerous jurisdictions.
• Handle highly sensitive matters and difficult subject matter with judgment, discretion, and care for everyone involved.
• Manage outside counsel across the full life of a case: budget, strategy, work product, and results.
• Drive matters through every stage, from early case assessment and witness preparation through depositions, mediation, and settlement recommendations to leadership.
• Proactively identify and resolve potential disputes, giving business clients practical risk mitigation advice that supports their objectives.
• Partner with compliance, public policy, and legal colleagues inside and outside Airbnb to solve problems that cross functions and borders.
• Analyze legal risk across the business, including in the development of new products and services.
• Build processes and procedures that scale with a rapidly growing global business.

Your Expertise

• J.D. from an accredited law school and strong academic credentials.
• 8+ years of significant litigation practice, with a demonstrated record of owning meaningful parts of complex legal or regulatory matters end to end.
• Active California bar membership in good standing, and residence in California. Florida bar admission is a plus.
• Background in commercial tort, regulatory, tax controversy, class action, and trial work preferred.
• You have prepared witnesses, including senior corporate leaders, for deposition and trial.
• Track record of managing outside counsel on high-exposure matters.
• Time spent at or representing technology companies strongly preferred.
• Sound judgment and discretion in handling highly sensitive matters and difficult subject matter.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to advocate firmly for a position while staying open-minded.
• Organized and self-directed, comfortable running multiple matters at once in a fast-paced environment, both on a team and independently.
• Coordinated proceeding work is a plus, including California JCCPs.
• Interest in expanding the scope of your practice, close attention to detail, and comfort with ambiguity.
• Passion for travel and home sharing, and deep appreciation for the Airbnb community.
• Good sense of humor, disdain for drama, and a bias toward getting things done.
• Willing to travel several times per quarter depending on case needs.

Your Location:

Due to the nature of this position, the successful applicant will need to be based in California to be able to conduct their work. Currently, employees can not be located in: Alaska, Indiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Delaware And Rhode Island. This list is continuously being updated, please check back with us if the state you live in is on the exclusion list. If your position is employed by another Airbnb entity, your recruiter will inform you what states you are eligible to work from.

Our Commitment To Inclusion & Belonging

Airbnb is committed to working with the broadest talent pool possible. We believe diverse ideas foster innovation and engagement, and allow us to attract creatively-led people, and to develop the best products, services and solutions. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

We strive to also provide a disability inclusive application and interview process. If you are a candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in order to submit an application, please contact us at: [e-mail]. Please include your full name, the role you’re applying for and the accommodation necessary to assist you with the recruiting process.

We ask that you only reach out to us if you are a candidate whose disability prevents you from being able to complete our online application.

How We'll Take Care Of You

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role may also be eligible for bonus, equity, benefits, and Employee Travel Credits.

Pay Range

$210,000—$258,000 USD