Principal Corporate Counsel – Trade Secrets, Copyrights, AI

Cisco

Principal Corporate Counsel managing AI legal frameworks at Cisco. Leading IP strategies and governance for technology innovations in AI.

Posted 7/21/2026full-timeDistrict of Columbia, Illinois, Texas, Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $202,200 - $256,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive expertise in intellectual property law, particularly in copyright and trade secret matters as they relate to AI. Proven ability to lead legal strategies, manage IP risks, and communicate effectively with executives on complex IP issues.

Highest-signal resume keywords

J.D. From An Accredited Law SchoolActive Bar Membership10+ Years IP Legal ExperienceAI & IP ProficiencyInternational IP Exposure

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Intellectual Property LawCopyright OwnershipTrade Secret ProtectionCopyright LicensingAI-Generated ContentTrade Secret LitigationPre-Litigation InvestigationExecutive CommunicationTechnology-Based IP Matters

Soft Skills

Concise CommunicationLeadership

Industry Keywords

AI Legal StrategiesIP Risk ManagementVendor IP ExposureLegal Intelligence Function

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the IP aspects of Cisco's AI legal & governance strategies
Evolve and run Cisco's copyright program in the AI era
Evolve and run Cisco's trade secret program as a genuine enterprise function
Work with the patent team to advise them on AI-specific patent-related strategies
Work with the AI legal team to audit and run AI vendor IP exposure
Serve as the IP team's legal intelligence function on AI

Requirements

What you’ll need

JD and active bar membership: J.D. from an accredited law school with active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
10+ years IP legal experience: Minimum of 10 years of intellectual property legal experience, with at least 5 years focused specifically on technology-based IP matters, including copyright ownership and/ trade secret protection.
AI & IP proficiency: Deep working knowledge of copyright and/or trade secrets as applied to AI-generated works.
Prior experience advising on copyright licensing for software and/or AI-generated content at scale
International IP exposure relevant to AI
Experience structuring or leading a trade secret litigation matter or pre-litigation investigation
Track record of credible, concise executive communication on IP risk

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical, dental and vision insurance
a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
paid parental leave
short and long-term disability coverage
basic life insurance
10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
1 paid day off for employee’s birthday
paid year-end holiday shutdown
4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year for non-exempt employees
flexible vacation time off program for exempt employees
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer