Senior Counsel (Commercial Legal, Product Counseling, Generative AI)

The Senior Counsel at The New York Times plays a crucial role by advising on all legal matters related to AI and generative AI within product development. This includes providing legal guidance on compliance issues, negotiating contracts, and collaborating with various teams across the organization to ensure adherence to legal frameworks and industry standards.

To qualify for the Senior Counsel position, candidates should possess a J.D. degree, be a current member of the New York bar, and have more than 10 years of relevant experience in product counseling and technology law, including at least 2 years focusing on generative AI. Strong skills in analyzing regulatory material and communicating viable solutions are essential.

The annual salary range for the Senior Counsel position at The New York Times is between $210,000 and $250,000. This reflects the importance of the role and the extensive experience required to handle complex legal matters regarding AI technology and product counseling.

In the Senior Counsel role, your work will directly support The New York Times' mission by ensuring that AI technologies used in journalism uphold ethical standards and legal compliance. Your guidance will help facilitate the innovation in journalism that the company is known for, ensuring that it’s both responsible and truth-seeking.

The Senior Counsel at The New York Times will negotiate a variety of contracts that pertain to AI technologies, including agreements related to technology use, software licensing, vendor tools, and intellectual property. This is crucial for aligning the terms with company goals and navigating the unique landscape of generative AI.

When answering this question, provide detailed examples of your past roles that involved commercial law and product counseling. Highlight specific cases where your legal counsel directly influenced product development or risk management, particularly in relation to new technologies.

Discuss your experience working with generative AI products, mentioning any relevant projects where you navigated legal concerns. Explain how you keep informed about emerging laws and regulations affecting AI to showcase your proactive approach.

Outline your systematic approach to risk assessment, providing specific instances where your strategies effectively identified and mitigated potential legal issues. This shows your analytical skills and importance placed on compliance and legal integrity.

Discuss examples where you successfully collaborated with teams across various departments. Emphasize your communication skills and how you ensure that all parties understand legal considerations while meeting product goals.

Share the methods you employ to stay updated on technology law, such as attending relevant conferences, subscribing to legal subscriptions, and networking with other professionals in the field. This reflects your commitment to continuous learning.

Describe your step-by-step process for drafting and negotiating contracts. Include how you gather necessary information, assess risks, and ensure that all contract terms align with company objectives, showcasing your meticulous attention to detail.

Provide a specific example of a difficult legal issue you encountered related to AI technology. Discuss how you navigated the complexities of the issue, what solutions you proposed, and the outcome, demonstrating your problem-solving skills.

Explain your approach to ensuring compliance, such as conducting regular audits, staying informed about relevant regulations, and training teams on compliance matters. This shows your proactive stance toward legal integrity.

Discuss the importance of ethical considerations in your legal practice, especially in AI. Mention specific instances where you've weighed ethical implications in addition to legal requirements, highlighting your commitment to responsible legal counsel.

Outline your understanding of journalistic independence and explain how your legal guidance would support this principle, ensuring that the use of AI technologies aligns with the ethical standards upheld by The New York Times.