Legal Counsel

Legal Counsel - Hybrid, Cary, North Carolina 

We’re a leader in data and AI. Through our software and services, we inspire customers around the world to transform data into intelligence - and questions into answers. 

If you're looking for a dynamic, fulfilling career with flexibility and a world-class employee experience, you'll find it here. We're recognized around the world for our inclusive, meaningful culture and innovative technologies by organizations like Fast Company, Forbes, Newsweek and more. 

About the job 

The Legal team is looking for a Legal Counsel to work closely with and under the guidance of a Senior Attorney. You will assist in providing legal advice and operational support on AI, cybersecurity, open-source software, and other emerging technology matters across SAS. You will perform a full range of legal services and maintain a diverse workload, with work on AI governance, AI regulatory compliance, and emerging technology legal support, and related responsibility for cybersecurity and open-source software matters. 

The primary emphasis for this role is helping to align the company's products, services, and internal technology with applicable legal rules related to AI, cybersecurity, and open source.  The role is designed for someone who can work with technical teams, translate complex requirements into practical guidance, and help SAS move quickly while preserving trust and accountability. 

As a Legal Counsel, you will:  

• Support the Senior Attorney in advising on AI regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, open-source software, and emerging technology matters across SAS.
• Assist R&D, CIS, Sales, Privacy, Compliance, and other stakeholders in helping translate and implement evolving legal and regulatory requirements related to AI, cybersecurity, open-source software, and emerging technologies into practical guidance, workflows, controls, and scalable processes.
• Support legal review and analysis of AI and generative AI features throughout the product lifecycle, including regulatory requirements, transparency obligations, and launch-readiness considerations.
• Assist with the review and negotiation of contracts involving  AI-enabled software and services, data use restrictions, generative AI, emerging technology, and cybersecurity matters in customer negotiations, procurement contracts, questionnaires, and strategic transactions, escalating novel or complex issues as appropriate.
• Support in advising on cybersecurity legal matters, including product security, vulnerability disclosures, software supply chain issues, secure development practices, and customer security requirements.
• Develop and maintain playbooks, templates, training materials, FAQs, and other scalable resources to help Legal and business teams address recurring technology-related legal issues consistently and efficiently, in coordination with transactional teams.
• Manage assigned legal matters and projects under the supervision of the Senior Attorney and other senior members of the Legal team.
• Ensure all applicable security policies and processes are followed to support the organization's secure software development goals.  
• Embrace curiosity, passion, authenticity and accountability. These are our values and influence everything we do. 

Required qualifications 

• Typically requires a minimum of five years of relevant legal experience.
• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited U.S. law school or equivalent legal education outside the U.S., which qualifies someone to work in an in-house Legal Department as an attorney.
• Licensed to practice law by being admitted to and a member in good standing of at least one state bar.
• 1-2 years of experience interpreting and implementing U.S. and global technology, AI, cybersecurity, software, privacy, or regulatory requirements in a business environment.
• 1-2 years of experience negotiating and drafting complex commercial agreements, including software, SaaS, cloud services, technology licensing, data processing, professional services, procurement, or other technology-related transactions.  
• Ability to advise technical, product, security, procurement, sales, and business stakeholders on complex legal issues in a practical and business-oriented manner.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered in place of the requirements stated above. 

Additional competencies, knowledge and skills 

• Prior experience supporting software, SaaS, cloud, AI, cybersecurity, data, or other technology companies.
• Experience advising on AI governance, generative AI, AI regulatory compliance, AI risk management, or responsible AI initiatives.
• Experience supporting technology transactions, commercial negotiations, vendor reviews, or procurement matters involving AI-enabled technologies.
• Experience advising on cybersecurity, product security, incident response, vulnerability disclosure, software supply-chain security, or related regulatory requirements.
• Experience with open-source software licensing, contribution agreements, or related compliance matters.
• Experience counseling product, engineering, or R&D teams throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Demonstrated ability to develop guidance, playbooks, policies, training materials, or processes addressing recurring legal issues.
• Familiarity with AI, cybersecurity, software development, and emerging technologies.
• Building Trusted Relationships - Using appropriate interpersonal styles to establish effective relationships with customers and internal partners; interacting with others in a way that promotes openness and trust and gives them confidence in one’s intentions.
• Collaborating - Working cooperatively with others to help a team or work group achieve its goals.
• Communication - Conveying information and ideas clearly and concisely to individuals or groups in an engaging manner that helps them understand and retain the message; listening actively to others 

World-class benefits   

Highlights include... 

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental and vision plans.
• Medical plan options include:  
• PPO with low annual deductible and copays.
• HDHP combined with a health savings account with a contribution from SAS (no access to on-site health care center).
• Onsite Health Care Center (HQ) that’s free to employees and family members enrolled in the PPO plan. There's a Pharmacy too! Not local to HQ? The pharmacy will ship prescriptions for no additional charge!
• An industry-leading 401k plan.
• Tuition Assistance Program and programs and resources to support your development
• Generous time away including vacation time, a variety of paid holidays, and our much-loved U.S. Winter Wellness Break between December 25 and January 1.
• Volunteer Time Off, parental leave and unlimited paid sick days.
• Generous childcare benefits for all full-time employees.   

You are welcome here. 

At SAS, it’s not about fitting into our culture – it’s about adding to it. We believe our people make the difference. Our inclusive workforce brings together unique talents and inspires teams to create amazing software that reflects the diversity of our users and customers.