Grant Thornton is seeking a Counsel: Technology, AI, Commercial Legal to join the team in Chicago, IL. Risk, Regulatory and Legal Affairs (RRLA) Counsel: Technology, AI, Commercial Legal Grant Thornton is seeking a business-savvy attorney to advise our leaders, client-facing teams, and internal development teams on the firm’s innovation and digital transformation initiatives, including the use of artificial intelligence and our intellectual property strategy. The ideal candidate blends strong legal acumen with practical judgment, helping the business innovate confidently while managing regulatory, contractual, and reputational risk. You’ll partner closely with Product, Technology, Risk, Privacy, Security, and Commercial teams to design guardrails for AI adoption, protect our IP, and support our go to market initiatives across a multinational, fast-moving professional services environment. Key Responsibilities AI and Emerging Technology Counseling + Advise on the lawful and ethical use of AI/ML tools, including risk assessments, governance, data and privacy, testing/monitoring, human-in-the-loop controls, and transparency requirements. + Draft and negotiate AI-related contract terms across a multinational platform. + Monitor multinational AI regulatory developments and translate them into actionable policies, playbooks, and training for business stakeholders. + Help design and operationalize AI and data governance committees and workflows. + Build and operationalize concise guidance, templates, training, and checklists for non-lawyers. Intellectual Property + Counsel on a multinational IP strategy for services, content, software, and data assets (copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets; light experience with patents is a plus). + Structure licensing and SaaS arrangements. + Support brand protection, content usage, and clearance, including by supporting our marketing and communications groups Product Counseling and Commercial Contracting + Provide practical product counseling from ideation through launch. + Review and negotiation of MSAs, SOWs, licensing and professional services agreements with AI, data, and IP elements. + Coordinate with outside counsel and internal SMEs; contribute to playbooks and internal knowledge bases. Qualifications: + J.D. from an accredited law school; admitted to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. + 5 to 8+ years of relevant experience in-house or at a law firm advising on a mix of: technology transactions, IP/licensing, and/or AI/ML use. + Familiarity with AI governance concepts and leading frameworks and experience counseling on AI governance programs and exposure to global AI regulatory trends and relevant standards preferred. + Solid grounding in copyright/trademark and trade secret protection. + Demonstrated ability to translate complex legal risk into practical, business-friendly guidance and contract language. + Experience reviewing, editing and negotiating professional services agreements; master service agreements; technology and software agreements; and vendor contracts is especially desirable. + Ability to effectively advise on risk mitigation and provide legal solutions that meet business objectives + Ability to quickly adapt to shifting priorities or unanticipated events + Prior experience in professional services or B2B enterprise technology environments is a plus. The base salary range for this position in the firm's Chicago, IL office is between $243,800 and $325,000 per year. About Us At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result – for our clients and you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It’s what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better. In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services. In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans-Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices. With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture. Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets. About the Team The team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how: • Whether it’s your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work in the way that best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm’s hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least two days per week, either at a GT office or client site. • Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household. • We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different — and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. See how at www.gt.com/careers • When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at www.gt.com/careers Here’s what you can expect next: If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at www.gt.com/careers. Benefits: We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different, and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit: https://www.grantthornton.com/careers/rewards-and-benefits + Benefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period. + Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave. Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation. Additional Details: It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or civil union status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic predisposition or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, it is the policy of Grant Thornton to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To make an accommodation request, please contact HRHelp@us.gt.com. For Los Angeles Applicants only: We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For Massachusetts Applicants only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Grant Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.