Corporate Legal Counsel Jobs in California
Corporate Legal Counsel jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in technology, entertainment, life sciences, and financial services, and openings ranging from newly minted attorneys through senior in-house counsel. The largest hiring metros are San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Apple, Netflix, and Qualcomm maintain significant legal teams. The most sought-after specializations include commercial contracts, intellectual property, privacy and data security, and securities compliance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Corporate Legal Counsel JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 15+ Corporate Legal Counsel jobs
DESCRIPTION
Amazon's Legal Department is looking for a talented attorney to support our security assurance and compliance strategy. The role will primarily support Amazon Web Services, a dynamic and rapidly growing business within Amazon.com. Amazon Web Services is at the forefront of the cloud computing service industry, providing IT infrastructure services, such as on-demand compute, storage, database, network and content delivery, artificial intelligence, mobile, and internet of things services, and more.
You'll be an integral part of the AWS Security team you support, giving input on business and strategy, in addition to providing legal counsel on a range of cutting-edge regulatory issues and operations related to cloud services, including those related to cybersecurity. You will also support our commercial and customer audits, compliance assessment programs, and risk management functions. You will develop strategies for handling legal issues in creative, business-centric ways and you will build processes that address risk and allow the business flexibility and freedom to move quickly. Finally, you’ll get to work with engineers and service teams across AWS, learning about the services we build and customers we support, with great visibility across the company and senior leaders.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ years of post bar admission legal experience
- Juris Doctor and membership in one state bar or equivalent
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in private practice or in house experience at a technology company or equivalent
- Experience in legal and regulatory environment of internet, software, and media industries
- Experience managing multiple projects and meeting aggressive deadlines
- Knowledge of IT infrastructure, outsourcing, telecommunications, cloud computing services or equivalent
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, WA, Seattle - 131,500.00 - 178,000.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
Amazon's Legal Department is looking for a talented attorney to support our security assurance and compliance strategy. The role will primarily support Amazon Web Services, a dynamic and rapidly growing business within Amazon.com. Amazon Web Services is at the forefront of the cloud computing service industry, providing IT infrastructure services, such as on-demand compute, storage, database, network and content delivery, artificial intelligence, mobile, and internet of things services, and more.
You'll be an integral part of the AWS Security team you support, giving input on business and strategy, in addition to providing legal counsel on a range of cutting-edge regulatory issues and operations related to cloud services, including those related to cybersecurity. You will also support our commercial and customer audits, compliance assessment programs, and risk management functions. You will develop strategies for handling legal issues in creative, business-centric ways and you will build processes that address risk and allow the business flexibility and freedom to move quickly. Finally, you’ll get to work with engineers and service teams across AWS, learning about the services we build and customers we support, with great visibility across the company and senior leaders.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ years of post bar admission legal experience
- Juris Doctor and membership in one state bar or equivalent
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in private practice or in house experience at a technology company or equivalent
- Experience in legal and regulatory environment of internet, software, and media industries
- Experience managing multiple projects and meeting aggressive deadlines
- Knowledge of IT infrastructure, outsourcing, telecommunications, cloud computing services or equivalent
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, WA, Seattle - 131,500.00 - 178,000.00 USD annually
See All 15 Corporate Legal Counsel Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Corporate Legal Counsel JobsCorporate Legal Counsel Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Corporate Legal Counsel Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in corporate legal counsel jobs across California.
- Active membership in the State Bar of California required to practice
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
- Experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and licensing agreements
- Background in technology, entertainment, life sciences, or financial services law
- Ability to advise cross-functional teams on regulatory and compliance matters
- Strong written communication skills for board memos and legal opinions
Corporate Legal Counsel Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a corporate legal counsel in California?
You must earn a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, pass the California Bar Examination administered by the State Bar of California, and be admitted to practice before joining any company as in-house counsel. Many candidates first spend several years at a law firm building transactional or litigation experience before moving in-house. Specializing in an area of high demand in California, such as privacy law, intellectual property, or corporate governance, strengthens your candidacy significantly.
How much do corporate legal counsels make in California?
Corporate legal counsels in California earn a median of about $195,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $97,950 for the lowest 10% to over $369,180 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire corporate legal counsels in California?
Employers hiring corporate legal counsels in California right now include Amazon, Genentech, and El Camino Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, major studios, and life sciences firms means in-house legal teams here are consistently among the largest and most active in the country.
Which California cities have the most corporate legal counsel jobs?
San Francisco, Irvine, and Santa Monica have the most corporate legal counsel openings in California. San Francisco and its surrounding Bay Area account for a large share of postings driven by the dense concentration of technology and venture-backed companies headquartered there, while Los Angeles draws significant demand from entertainment, media, and consumer brands, and San Diego reflects strong hiring from its established life sciences and defense sector.
Are there remote corporate legal counsel jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most legal roles, since corporate counsel work centers on contracts, advice, and written analysis rather than in-person proceedings. About 67% of corporate legal counsel openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how broadly companies have embraced flexible arrangements for in-house attorneys. Contract review, compliance counseling, and privacy advisory work are the functions most commonly performed fully remotely.
How can I get hired as a corporate legal counsel in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is joining a California law firm first, then transitioning in-house once you have transactional experience. Large California technology and life sciences companies regularly hire junior in-house attorneys or legal operations associates who work directly alongside senior counsel. Government positions at California regulatory agencies and district attorneys' offices also build the transactional and compliance background that corporate hiring managers value. A California Bar admission plus demonstrated focus in contracts, privacy, or intellectual property gives entry-level candidates a meaningful edge.
Where can I find and apply to corporate legal counsel jobs in California?
You can find and apply to corporate legal counsel jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that match your experience and practice area, then apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 15 Corporate Legal Counsel Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Corporate Legal Counsel Jobs