Cisco

Principal Corporate Counsel: Product Legal

Cisco • $192K — $243K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bar admission with 7+ years of experience in a law firm or in-house legal role, preferably in transactional or product counseling.
  • Proven experience with software/cloud/SaaS products and licensing matters.
  • Strong project management skills, able to handle multiple legal requests and prioritize effectively.
  • Exceptional writing and oral communication skills, capable of simplifying complex legal issues into actionable advice.
  • Experience with privacy, data protection, and data use issues; CIPP/E certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

  • Provide practical legal guidance to product management and engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Develop strong relationships with business, sales, engineering, operations, finance, and legal teams to support product market strategies.
  • Advise on AI, privacy, data protection, and intellectual property issues in collaboration with global legal experts.
  • Draft and maintain legal documents, including transparency disclosures and product-specific terms.
  • Be a collaborative team player, ready to assist in various capacities as needed.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model with two days in-office attendance per week.
  • Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and legal issues.
  • Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams.
  • Potential for annual bonuses based on performance.
  • Access to professional development and training opportunities.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 10/31/2026

"Members of the Legal organization at select locations will generally be expected to follow a hybrid work model, which includes two days of in-office attendance each week, with limited exceptions."

Preferred locations: RTP, NC Other U.S. locations will be considered.

Your Impact

You are phenomenal at communicating succinct legal advice to executives and engineers alike, while balancing reasonable legal risk to enable important business outcomes. You have a curiosity about, and a passion for, both technology and the legal craft and are building extraordinary drafting and counseling skills. You are organized, dependable, and responsive (while we typically have no need to work nights or weekends, we want you to be open to it if the business teams need your support).

How you'll contribute:

o Provide practical guidance to product management and engineering teams on new and existing services, products, and features throughout the entire product lifecycle.

o Develop close working relationships with the business, sales, engineering, operations, finance and legal teams bringing our products to market, as well as a deep understanding of our go-to-market strategies, business processes, and product offerings.

o Advise on AI, privacy, data protection, regulatory issues and intellectual property matters in collaboration with legal subject matter experts on a global basis.

o Draft and maintain product legal collateral, such as transparency disclosures and product-specific terms.

o Be a great teammate, willing to pitch in and assist wherever needed.

Minimum Qualifications

o Bar admission with 7+ years of experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal role, preferably in a transactional and/or product counseling role.

o Proven experience working with software/cloud/SaaS products and licensing matters.

o Strong ability to manage legal requests from multiple internal clients and to manage multiple projects simultaneously from start to finish, prioritizing tasks effectively, and communicating progress to stakeholders.

o Exceptional writing and oral communication skills with the ability to distill complex legal issues into concise, actionable advice.

o Experience with privacy, data protection and data use issues; CIPP/E is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

o Excellent business judgment, with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives.

o Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements, both as a customer and a service provider.

o Detail oriented and self-sufficient, yet comfortable seeking assistance when needed.

o Capability to quickly absorb, evaluate, and respond to novel issues and craft creative solutions.

o Strategic thinker and easily adapt to differing needs and interests of business stakeholders and Cisco's customers.

The starting salary range posted for this position is $192,300.00 to $243,900.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco's policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:
  • .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;
  • 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;
  • 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and
  • Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.


For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area:
$225,000.00 - $336,300.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$205,600.00 - $298,900.00

* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco's sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.

About Cisco

Cisco Careers

Join the vibrant team at Cisco, a global leader in networking and cybersecurity solutions, where innovation and leadership thrive. Cisco offers a plethora of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and experiences, making it an ideal place for both seasoned professionals and those seeking an internship to jumpstart their career. Work You’ll Do At Cisco, you’ll be part of a culture that values diversity, leadership, and professional growth. Engage in work that matters with a team that combines technology, creativity, and the power of human connection to redefine networking. Cisco’s commitment to innovation isn’t just about technology, but also about transforming the way we work and collaborate. Cisco’s employment philosophy supports career advancement and nurtures a leadership pipeline that is equipped with diversity training and opportunities for growth. Whether you’re applying your skills to drive our latest innovations or using our vast networking capabilities to solve complex problems, at Cisco, every role is impactful. Join Our Dynamic Team Explore job opportunities in areas ranging from engineering to marketing, sales to cybersecurity. Cisco is hiring individuals who are passionate, curious, and ready to drive change. Positions at Cisco offer competitive benefits, a supportive culture, and the chance to work with cutting-edge technology. Internship Programs Kickstart your career with a Cisco internship. Gain invaluable industry experience, enhance your resume, and build professional networks that last a lifetime. Our internships provide hands-on experience and the chance to work on projects that matter. Leadership and Development Cisco is committed to fostering leadership skills and providing employees with the training needed to succeed. Our leadership programs help you develop new skills, manage teams effectively, and lead with confidence. Cisco’s commitment to professional development ensures that your career path is as dynamic as our technologies. Benefits and Culture Cisco understands the importance of a balanced life. Our benefits package is designed to ensure that our team members are healthy, happy, and secure. At Cisco, you’ll find a supportive culture that encourages open communication, teamwork, and mutual respect. Stay Connected Join Cisco’s Talent Network Stay informed about new positions that match your skills and interests. At Cisco, we value the curiosity and unique perspectives of our team members. Subscribe to receive personalized job alerts and insider tips directly from our hiring managers. Explore Cisco Jobs Ready to advance your career at Cisco? Search open positions, prepare your resume, and get ready for an interview that could lead to your next big opportunity. At Cisco, we’re not just filling positions—we’re investing in leaders. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await you at Cisco.
Learn more about Cisco
Size
79,500 employees
Market Cap
$194.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$10.1 billion
Founded
2014
5 Year Trend
+1.4%
Revenue
$48 billion
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