About this role
About Anthropic
Anthropic’s mission is to create reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems. We want AI to be safe and beneficial for our users and for society as a whole. Our team is a quickly growing group of committed researchers, engineers, policy experts, and business leaders working together to build beneficial AI systems.
About the role
We're looking for a Commercial Counsel, SPARC (Safety, Policy, and Research Contracts) to join our legal team at the forefront of shaping how cutting-edge AI technology reaches users, researchers, and enterprises worldwide. You'll work alongside experienced colleagues who operate as true strategic partners (moving fast, thinking creatively, and working collaboratively) on cutting-edge AI safety and research agreements, including threat-sharing frameworks with leading security organizations and collaborations that shape and advance responsible AI development standards. You'll also focus on supporting our Go-to-Market teams, handling enterprise agreements and customer negotiations. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated attorney to develop deep expertise in their commercial transactions career while contributing directly to responsible AI development.
Key responsibilities
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, focusing mainly on AI safety and research agreements, as well as GTM/Sales transactions including enterprise customer contracts
• Partner closely with Sales and Go-to-Market teams to support deal velocity and provide practical legal guidance
• Help build and maintain commercial legal infrastructure, including contract templates, playbooks, and process improvements
• Partner with Policy, Safeguards, and Research teams on novel AI governance initiatives
• Identify and escalate legal risks appropriately while supporting business momentum
• Stay current on legal developments affecting AI technologies
Minimum qualifications
• J.D. and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar (California preferred)
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear, practical legal guidance to non-lawyers on complex commercial law matters
Preferred qualifications
• Commercial experience supporting research collaborations and sponsored research and grant giving programs
• Curiosity about AI technology and AI policy, and a commitment to responsible AI development
• Experience with biotech, clinical research, or other life sciences transactions
• Familiarity with grant-making or grant-funded arrangements, including funding terms and compliance considerations
• Experience advising on partnerships with non-profit foundations, academic institutions, or industry trade groups
• Comfort advising research teams whose work doesn't follow a standard commercial playbook
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate legal concepts for non-legal audiences
• A collaborative approach