Senior Counsel, Trade Compliance

To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale—faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.

Group/Division

The Legal Compliance Organization (LCO) provides legal guidance to further KLA’s strategic objectives and protect and preserve the company's legal, ethical and financial integrity and reputation. Drawing on expertise in corporate law, commercial law, employment law, ethics and compliance, and intellectual property, the LCO offers strategic legal counsel that is informed by a clear understanding of the company’s business objectives and knowledge of the laws and regulations relevant to the business worldwide.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise.

KLA Corporation (“KLA”) is seeking a highly motivated attorney to join KLA’s Legal and Compliance Organization as Senior Counsel, Trade Compliance. The position will report directly to the Sr. Director, Legal Counsel, Trade Compliance, and support a wide variety of legal, regulatory, and compliance matters for KLA. The person in this role will have the opportunity to add immediate value to KLA’s global trade compliance program by supporting KLA’s licensing and trade compliance due-diligence activities, coordinating changes to US and other applicable jurisdictions import, export, and sanctions laws and regulations, and providing legal guidance and advice in support of KLA’s global trade compliance program.  The Senior Counsel, Trade Compliance will work with business and corporate teams to resolve issues that arise during normal business operations to ensure appropriate management of legal and compliance matters related to trade compliance.   

Responsibilities:  

• Gain a solid understanding of Company’s trade-compliance goals and challenges in the U.S. and internationally and support the identification and implementation of appropriate legal strategies and risk-management processes and controls to facilitate goals and minimize challenges.

• Identify, analyze, and support complex issues pertaining to U.S. trade risk, using judgment and creativity in the methods, and collaborate with team members to develop strategies for acquiring timely resolution to import/export complexities.

• Examine potential trade-compliance deficiencies and provide effective solutions to include: developing clear policies, procedures, and checklists for team and company use; drafting correspondence to government agencies; evaluating global regulatory and licensing requirements and processes; and improving business processes and trade-compliance controls.

• Advise global trade team members, product managers, sales, operations, engineering, and executives.

• Work with outside counsel in various jurisdictions on trade-compliance requirements and related company processes.

• Recognize potential trade-compliance gaps and work closely with cross-functional groups to develop and implement solutions.

• Develop and conduct practical and accessible trade-compliance training.   

• Partner with the Global Trade Compliance team on operational and strategic trade matters.

• Support trade compliance activities related to merger-and-acquisition due diligence and business-integration activities. 

• Furnish regular, clear communication on legal issues and opportunities to internal teams to assist with the identification and mitigation of risks, and the development of appropriate processes and strategies. 

• Support internal investigations, audits, and risk assessments related to trade compliance.

• Occasional travel to domestic and international offices.

• Support the Legal and Compliance Organization on other projects, initiatives, and strategic opportunities, as they may arise from time to time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Law degree from an accredited U.S. law school and admission to the bar in Michigan as a member in good standing. Doctorate (Professional) degree, membership in good standing in applicable state bar, and work experience of at least 3 years.

• Experience: At least 3-5 years of legal experience focusing on trade compliance matters.  Experience at a U.S. multinational technology company or in the semiconductor industry (or closely related fields) preferred.  Technical/engineering background a plus.

• Technical skills: Proficiency advising on U.S. trade-compliance regulations and programs, with particular focus on U.S.-China trade law. 

• Soft skills: Self-starter and great teammate, with desire to be on the cutting edge of U.S. trade law.  Excellent interpersonal skills; interact and connect with clients at all levels of the organization including business executives, and across Company international locations.  Strong and independent demeanor, capable of standing up to business pressures and strong client personalities.  Persistent; comfortable with exercising independent judgment to acquire the best business outcome while containing legal risk.  Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an ability to prioritize and work independently.  Drive to be better; desire to improve professional skills and competence, and to continuously improve KLA’s global trade compliance function.

Minimum Qualifications

• Law degree from an accredited U.S. law school and admission to the bar in Michigan as a member in good standing. Doctorate (Professional) degree, membership in good standing in applicable state bar, and work experience of at least 3 years.

About KLA

We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.

Total Rewards

Base Pay Range: $143,700.00 - $210,767.00 Annually
Primary Location: USA-MI-Ann Arbor-KLA

KLA’s total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.

Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Use of AI Statement 

At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews—whether virtual or in person—is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.

Equal Opportunity Statement

KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at [email protected] or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.

For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.