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Job description
About the team
The Principal, Legal Counsel provides strategic legal guidance to senior leaders on complex, high‑impact matters, serving as a subject‑matter expert on real estate, technology, and regulatory issues that shape Zillow’s products and business operations. This role leads the design and negotiation of critical agreements, develops scalable legal frameworks, and proactively manages legal risk while enabling innovation and exceptional customer experiences. The Principal, Legal Counsel influences enterprise‑level decisions through data‑driven, practical advice and effective cross‑functional collaboration.
About the role
Lead complex, high‑risk legal matters and provide strategic counseling to executives and senior leaders on issues that materially impact Zillow’s products, data, and business operations. Design, negotiate, and finalize sophisticated commercial, technology, and data‑related agreements, balancing legal risk with business objectives and long‑term relationship considerations. Anticipate and assess emerging legal, regulatory, and industry developments affecting online real estate marketplaces, and translate them into actionable guidance, policies, and scalable playbooks for business and legal partners.
Partner with product, engineering, compliance, and operations teams to structure and launch new or enhanced offerings in a compliant, privacy‑ and consumer‑focused manner, embedding legal controls into core workflows. Lead cross‑functional responses to escalated disputes, investigations, and regulatory or industry inquiries, coordinating strategy, communications, and remediation to protect the company’s legal and reputational interests. Develop and refine legal standards, templates, training, and knowledge resources that drive consistency, efficiency, and high‑quality decision‑making across the Legal team and stakeholder groups. Mentor and informally lead other attorneys and legal professionals, modeling sound judgment, inclusive practices, and effective ways of working in a fast‑paced, highly matrixed environment.
This role has been categorized as a Remote position. “Remote” employees do not have a permanent corporate office workplace and, instead, work from a physical location of their choice, which must be identified to the Company. U.S. employees may live in any of the 50 United States, with limited exceptions. In California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington state, and Washington DC the standard base pay range for this role is $191,300.00 - $305,700.00 annually. This base pay range is specific to these locations and may not be applicable to other locations. In addition to a competitive base salary this position is also eligible for equity awards based on factors such as experience, performance and location. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance and location. Employees in this role will not be paid below the salary threshold for exempt employees in the state where they reside.
Who you are
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
Admission to at least one U.S. state bar in good standing.
10+ years of experience as a practicing attorney in a law firm and/or in‑house legal department, with significant work for technology, online platform, or real‑estate‑adjacent organizations at scale.
Demonstrated experience leading complex, enterprise‑level transactions, regulatory matters, or disputes with material business impact, including direct interaction with senior executives and external counterparties.
Proven track record of translating ambiguous, evolving legal and regulatory requirements into practical guidance for product, engineering, and business teams in a high‑growth, fast‑changing environment.
Equivalent combination of education and experience.
Get to know us
At Zillow, we’re reimagining how people move—through the real estate market and through their careers. As the most‑visited real estate platform in the U.S., we help customers navigate buying, selling, financing and renting with greater ease and confidence. Whether you’re working in tech, sales, operations, or design, you’ll be part of a company that’s reshaping an industry and helping more people make home a reality. Zillow is honored to be recognized among the best workplaces in the country. Zillow was named one of FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® in 2025, and included on the PEOPLE Companies That Care® 2025 list, reflecting our commitment to creating an innovative, inclusive, and engaging culture where employees are empowered to grow. No matter where you sit in the organization, your work will help drive innovation, support our customers, and move the industry—and your career—forward, together.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Zillow Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative environment with the best employees. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact your recruiter directly. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable state and local law.
Los Angeles County Applicants
Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Company Culture and Flexibility
At Zillow, flexibility isn’t a perk - it’s how we work. Cloud HQ is our distributed work model, built on trust, clear systems, and the belief that you can do great work from wherever you are. It’s not about where you work. It’s about moving forward - together.
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Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.