Legal Counsel

Job Posting Organization:
The Wikimedia Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia free knowledge projects. Established with the vision of a world where every single human can freely share in the sum of all knowledge, the Foundation believes in the potential of every individual to contribute to shared knowledge and the importance of free access to that knowledge. The organization hosts Wikipedia and various Wikimedia projects, builds software experiences for reading, contributing, and sharing content, supports volunteer communities, and advocates for policies that enable free knowledge to thrive. The Wikimedia Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization based in the United States, relying on donations from millions of individuals worldwide, with an average donation of about $1

• It has offices in San Francisco, California, and operates as a remote-first organization with staff members in over 40 countries. The Foundation values diversity and inclusivity in its workforce and encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply for positions.

Job Overview:
The Legal Counsel position at the Wikimedia Foundation is aimed at a junior to mid-career attorney who has a keen interest and experience in product and privacy counseling. This role is integral to the in-house legal department, reporting directly to the Associate General Counsel. The primary responsibilities include advising product, engineering, and design teams on legal issues that arise during feature development, product launches, and ongoing platform operations. The Legal Counsel will also support the legal review of new products and changes, assist in drafting and maintaining user-facing terms and policies, and provide counsel on various legal matters including privacy, data use, consumer protection, and intellectual property. The role requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to identify legal risks early and develop practical solutions that align with the Foundation's mission. Additionally, the Legal Counsel will monitor legal and regulatory developments that may impact Wikimedia's projects globally, ensuring that the organization remains compliant and proactive in its legal strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Legal Counsel include:

• Advising product, engineering, and design teams on legal issues related to feature development, launches, experiments, and ongoing platform operations.
• Supporting the legal review process for new products, product changes, and technical initiatives related to Wikimedia projects.
• Assisting in the drafting, reviewing, and maintaining of user-facing terms, disclosures, policies, FAQs, and internal guidance documents.
• Providing legal counsel on product-related issues, including privacy, data use, consumer protection, intellectual property, accessibility, and online safety.
• Partnering with cross-functional teams to identify legal risks early in the development process and to create mission-aligned solutions.
• Monitoring and assessing legal and regulatory developments that may affect Wikimedia’s projects on a global scale.
• Engaging in proactive legal strategies to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Legal Counsel position include:

• A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited U.S. law school or an equivalent foreign degree.
• Admission to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction.
• A minimum of 2 to 5 years of experience in legal review of technical products or online services.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong attention to detail.
• Full fluency in written and spoken English.
• A dedicated, hardworking, and passionate approach to completing projects independently.
• The ability to learn on the job, identify issues, think critically, and handle complex and ambiguous situations with sound judgment.
• Comfort in a collaborative, multicultural, and transparent work environment.
• A mission-driven mindset with a commitment to public service and high personal integrity.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Legal Counsel position includes a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited U.S. law school or an equivalent foreign degree. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the legal frameworks that govern product development, privacy, and intellectual property, which are critical to the role.

Experience:
The position requires 2 to 5 years of experience in legal review of technical products or online services. This experience should encompass a solid understanding of the legal landscape surrounding product development, privacy issues, and consumer protection, as well as familiarity with the challenges faced by organizations operating in the digital space.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is full fluency in written and spoken English. Additionally, having the ability to speak other languages is considered a major plus, as it can enhance communication and collaboration in a diverse, global environment.

Additional Notes:
The Wikimedia Foundation operates as a remote-first organization, allowing for flexibility in work location. The anticipated annual pay range for this position for applicants based within the United States is between $90,572 and $137,155, with the final offer being influenced by various factors including the cost of living in the applicant's location. For applicants located outside of the U.S., the pay range will be adjusted according to the country of hire. The Foundation does not consider salary history in its hiring process, ensuring that compensation is based solely on the applicant's skills, experience, and location. The organization is committed to maintaining an inclusive and equitable workplace and encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.