Senior Counsel, US Public Sector

GAQ226R145

Location: This position will ideally be based in Seattle, Denver, Mountain View, San Francisco, or NYC. We have a hybrid work model.

About the Team:

Databricks is at the forefront of data and AI innovation, and our Legal team plays a vital role in supporting this mission. We are dedicated to navigating complex legal landscapes and ensuring compliance within the rapidly evolving technology sector. Our team is composed of diverse legal professionals with expertise in technology, privacy, intellectual property, corporate law, cybersecurity, employment law, tax, regulatory compliance, and litigation.

About the Role:

Databricks is seeking a highly skilled Senior Counsel to support our U.S. Federal and State & Local Education (SLED) teams. Reporting to the Director, Assistant General Counsel, you will play a key role in navigating complex public sector transactions, ensuring regulatory compliance, and advising on critical legal matters in a rapidly evolving cloud and AI-driven environment. This is an exciting opportunity to shape Databricks’ public sector strategy while working at the cutting edge of AI, cloud, and data innovation.  

What You'll Do

• Public Sector Transactions: Lead the negotiation and drafting of customer agreements with federal, state, and local agencies, balancing legal risk and business objectives.
• Government Procurement & Compliance: Provide strategic guidance on government procurement rules, including FedRAMP, state-specific regulations, and cooperative purchasing agreements.
• Cybersecurity & Data Protection: Advise on cybersecurity, data protection, and compliance frameworks such as FedRAMP, DFARS 252.204-7012, NIST 800-171, and CMMC to support Databricks’ growing public sector business.
• Regulatory & Policy Counsel: Monitor and interpret changes in federal, state, and local regulations impacting cloud and AI adoption in the public sector, advising internal teams on risks and opportunities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with sales, compliance, security, engineering, and policy teams to develop legal strategies that align with business goals.
• Dispute Resolution & Risk Management: Support bid protests, contract disputes, and other public sector legal matters, working closely with internal and external stakeholders.

Who You Are

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 10+ years of legal experience with a focus on public sector transactions and government contracts (in-house experience at a high-growth technology company preferred).
• Expertise in federal, state, and local procurement processes, including GSA schedules, VAR transactions, IDIQs, and cooperative purchasing agreements.
• Deep understanding of public sector cybersecurity and compliance frameworks, including FedRAMP, NIST 800-171, CMMC, and agency-specific security requirements.
• Ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and communicate effectively with internal teams, government stakeholders, and external counsel.