Counsel, AI Risk & Compliance

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,700+ lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work. At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office. With us, you’ll find: A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself! Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive. Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance. Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence. Job Description: The Counsel, AI Risk & Compliance serve at the intersection of legal, technology, risk management, regulatory compliance, and professional responsibility. This role guides the evaluation, deployment, and governance of artificial intelligence tools and related technologies across the firm, while partnering closely with business, technology, and risk stakeholders. The Counsel provides guidance on issues involving confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, professional conduct obligations, client contractual commitments, and reputational risk, in addition to the legal, operational, cybersecurity, and regulatory issues associated with enterprise AI adoption. This role helps shape the firm’s approach to AI governance and plays a central role in enabling innovation while helping the firm manage legal, regulatory, operational, and reputational risk in a rapidly evolving environment. Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Serve as the primary legal advisor for AI tools, applications, vendors, and initiatives being evaluated, implemented, or used across the firm Partner closely with IT, Information Security, Procurement, Marketing and Business Development, Knowledge Management, and other stakeholders throughout the lifecycle of AI initiatives, from evaluation through deployment and ongoing governance Provide practical legal guidance on how AI technologies interact with firm systems, internal data, client information, and operational infrastructure Advise on legal issues involving data access, permitted use, privacy, cybersecurity, intellectual property, confidentiality, and professional responsibility Support vendor diligence, contracting, and risk management pro