Director, Associate General Counsel IP & Litigation at Stability AI

About Us:

Stability AI is a community and mission driven, open artificial intelligence company that cares deeply about real-world implications and applications. Our most considerable advances grow from our diversity in working across multiple teams and disciplines. We are unafraid to go against established norms and explore creativity. We are motivated to generate breakthrough ideas and convert them into tangible solutions. Our vibrant communities consist of experts, leaders, and partners across the globe who are developing cutting-edge open AI models for Image, Language, Audio, Video, and 3D.

Job Description:

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Associate General Counsel, IP & Litigation to join our legal team. You will serve as a primary legal contact for the business handling litigation and enforcement matters.  You will also work closely with the product, engineering, and marketing teams in order to manage the company’s IP portfolio and address related IP product matters.  The role will require the candidate to take a proactive role in advising the business regarding the IP and general commercial litigation risk landscape.    

You will have the opportunity to provide legal counsel in an industry with little legal precedents, brand new legal questions and concerns, and quickly evolving business models. Curiosity and the willingness to learn about new technologies are a must. This role reports directly to the General Counsel.

This is a remote role, with a preference for candidates in California.     

Responsibilities:

• Serve as lead litigation counsel managing the global litigation and dispute portfolio  
• Develop and evangelize a comprehensive IP portfolio strategy taking into account the company’s unique open-source commitments
• Gain an in-depth understanding of Stability’s products and development processes, including their strengths, limitations, and vulnerabilities 
• Provide expert legal advice and guidance to product, design, and engineering teams to navigate Stability’s pending litigation matters and address future risk
• Manage outside counsel on all open litigation and investigation matters with a focus on effectiveness and budget efficiency
• Work closely with other members of the legal and policy team engaging regulatory authorities and addressing inquiries 
• Provide guidance on patent, copyright, and trademark issues, including as they apply to the development and licensing of datasets used to train our AI models, the output of our generative AI products and services, and the hosting of content (such as the DMCA and Article 17) 
• Provide frontline assistance to the commercial team in understanding Stability’s technology, licensing frameworks, and IP strategy on an ongoing basis  
• Conduct legal research and stay up-to-date with industry trends, regulatory changes, legal precedents, and emerging technologies that may impact Stability AI's products

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing
• 10+ years of experience as an attorney, with a focus on technology litigation and intellectual property
• Previous in-house experience as IP practitioner and/or litigator at a technology company
• Experience managing an international litigation portfolio
• Deep understanding of intellectual property law (especially copyright law)
• Passionate about the inner-workings of AI technology
• Ability to address problems creatively 
• Practical approach to risk mitigation in the face of both legal and business uncertainty
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to distill complex legal concepts into clear and actionable guidance for non-legal stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and effectively managing multiple priorities
• Proactive mindset to identify and address legal risks
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and attention to detail
• Flexibility to adapt to evolving priorities 
• Ability to foster relationships and collaborate with internal clients
• Sense of humor and inquisitive attitude focused on problem solving and consensus building

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience navigating regulatory inquiries in the US and internationally 
• Experience with open source software licensing, data licensing, or source-available licensing, as well as open source development and open source communities
• Privacy and data security certifications (CIPP/US, CIPP/E)
• Experience advising, managing, or conducting any content moderation, or handling DMCA or Article 17 matters 
• History of managing multi-faceted IP portfolios, including enforcement programs
• Deep understanding of emerging technologies, including AI and data analytics, as well as knowledge of the emerging regulatory and copyright developments affecting them

Equal Employment Opportunity:

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or other legally protected statuses.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is between $185,000 and $265,000K USD. Individual pay within the range is based on factors like job-related skills and experience. Total compensation also includes stock options and benefits.