Sheronda Rochelle, JD, MFA, a legal virtuoso with a creative edge, has devoted more than two decades to mastering the intricacies of law as a trusted attorney. She currently serves as an assistant general counsel at Microsoft Corporation, a role she has held since 2022. In this capacity, she plays a critical role in shaping the company’s legal strategies, particularly in intellectual property and technology. Her expertise in these areas is widely recognized, and she is known for her ability to navigate complex legal landscapes effectively.
Before assuming her current role, Ms. Rochelle was senior corporate counsel at Microsoft from 2019 to 2022. During this time, she played a key role in the rollout of Windows 11, contributing significantly to its accessibility features. Prior to joining Microsoft, she held several leadership positions at JPMorgan Chase & Co., including executive director and assistant general counsel from 2014 to 2018, vice president and assistant general counsel from 2008 to 2014, and assistant vice president and senior counsel from 2007 to 2008. Her tenure at JPMorgan Chase & Co. was marked by groundbreaking negotiations that set new industry precedents.
Ms. Rochelle’s legal career began as a paralegal at News Corp in New York City from 2000 to 2004, followed by a role as counsel at CA Technologies, now Broadcom, in Islandia, New York, from 2004 to 2007. These early experiences provided her with a strong foundation for her future achievements in corporate law. In addition to her corporate roles, she has shared her legal knowledge as an adjunct professor at the School of Law at Seattle University in 2024.
Ms. Rochelle laid a strong educational foundation, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English language and literature from Bryant University in 1997, a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Albertus Magnus College in 2023, and a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School in 2003. Moreover, she has held bar admissions in Washington since 2021 and New York since 2004.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms. Rochelle is actively involved in several industry-related organizations. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, the Next Generation Advisory Board of the Corporate Council for Women of Color, the Washington State Bar Association, and the New York State Unified Court System. Her dedication to civic engagement is evident through her service as a dean’s advisory council member at Bryant University since 2024 and board secretary for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières from 2019 to 2024. She also mentored young professionals through the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity from 2019 to 2021.
Reflecting on her path, Ms. Rochelle’s most significant achievement is her role as a legal contributor to the rollout of Windows 11, the most accessible version of Windows to date. This project holds deep personal meaning, as her uncle is hard of hearing, making her involvement both a professional milestone and a personal triumph. Another notable accomplishment was her successful negotiation of the complete outsourcing of the human resources department in 2006, the largest outsourcing effort the company had ever undertaken. Additionally, her groundbreaking negotiations with JP Morgan set a new industry precedent, further solidifying her impact in the field.
Outside of her professional life, Ms. Rochelle enjoys writing, cooking, and traveling. She attributes her success to the support system and role models who have guided her throughout her career. Additionally, embracing a non-traditional approach has allowed her to take unique paths that have led to significant accomplishments. Looking to the future, she aspires to publish her first novel and write a cookbook while continuing to advance her career with the ultimate goal of becoming general counsel of a company.