Assistant General Counsel - Product & Innovation

Summary

Acts as the primary legal strategist and trusted advisor supporting ADT’s transformation into a technology-driven platform company. This role partners closely with executive leadership, product, engineering, and innovation teams to structure and negotiate complex technology, commercial, and strategic partnership initiatives that drive enterprise growth. Serving as a key architect in balancing innovation with scalable risk management, the position combines sophisticated legal judgment, business strategy, and emerging technology expertise. Reporting directly to the VP & Deputy General Counsel, Product & Innovation, this role offers high visibility, significant influence, and the opportunity to shape the legal framework behind next‑generation products and platform expansion.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead legal projects and legal support for ADT’s Product Strategy, Product Management, and Engineering functions, business incubation and other innovation initiatives, and manage others with respect thereto.
• Negotiate strategic technology transactions, including complex software and hardware licensing and development, data rights, OEM/ODM contracting, and privacy by design strategy, and manage others with respect thereto.
• Establish and lead the enterprise legal framework for AI governance, providing counsel on algorithmic bias, data provenance, and the ethical deployment of machine learning models within ADT’s product ecosystem.
• Negotiate and manage product and innovation aspects of corporate M&A, and integrations of acquired technology, and manage others with respect thereto.
• Coordinate with other business and legal stakeholders to address other legal issues implicated in product and innovation activities, including intellectual property, information security, data privacy, risk management, accounting, financing, etc.
• Stay current on legal developments and proposed and existing legislation affecting ADT’s product and innovation activities. Review business practices and policies. Proactively advise management on these developments and related risks.
• Research and analyze various legal issues and render opinions.
• Coordinate and assist in representation of the company in non‑patent product and innovation related legal disputes, and, in coordination with the Assistant General Counsel, Intellectual Property, provide technical and product specific support for patent litigation.
• Serve as the technical SME for the procurement and sourcing teams; draft and maintain high‑tech procurement contract templates and guidelines to ensure enterprise-wide consistency in IP and data protections.
• Perform legal assignments that are complex and varied in nature, usually involving some evaluation, originality and/or ingenuity.
• Work with outside and other in‑house counsel as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Competencies

• Substantial working knowledge in negotiating contracts for products and services, including IT and other software solutions, OEM products, consulting and other professional services, and agreements related to technology transfer and the licensing of intellectual property.
• Substantial working knowledge in product and intellectual property related legal considerations in corporate mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and integrations.
• Substantial working knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to the procurement of products and services, including intellectual property licensing, regulatory listing and standards‑based certification of products, import/export, supply chain, UCC, and warranty.
• Substantial working knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to all forms of intellectual property.
• Ability to be lead counsel for any of ADT’s Product Strategy, Product Management, and Engineering functions, business incubation and other innovation initiatives.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must be an accomplished negotiator and able to manage disputes.
• Strong leadership and personnel management abilities. Substantial experience managing legal projects, other attorneys, and staff.
• Ability to effectively work with, and gain the confidence of, ADT management, Legal Department colleagues, and other ADT personnel.
• Demonstrated judgment and skills in the practical application of a broad range of legal principles.
• Hands on project management skills.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and similar software applications.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the bar of at least one jurisdiction within the United States.
• Eligible to register as Authorized House Counsel in the State of Florida.
• A minimum of ten years prior experience practicing law with relevant subject matter expertise.

Preferred Competencies and Qualifications

• Substantial experience as in‑house counsel.
• Substantial experience leading and managing an in‑house legal team.
• Substantial experience structuring strategic joint ventures and technical ecosystems (e.g., hardware/software/service partnerships).
• Substantial experience practicing before the United States Patent & Trademark Office.
• Registered Patent Attorney or Agent.
• Working knowledge of consumer data protection and privacy law.

Los Angeles Applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Philadelphia Applicants: Background checks will be conducted during the employment process. Any information will be reviewed through an individualized assessment in accordance with the Philadelphia Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance.

ADT is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. ADT strives to ensure every employee and applicant feels valued. Visit us at jobs.adt.com/diversity to learn more.