Steve Crown

About Steve Crown

Steve is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Human Rights, Microsoft Corporation, contributing to development and interpretation of company-wide policies that support advocacy for Rule of Law and respect for human rights in the conduct of the company’s business. Steve works closely with colleagues across Microsoft and with external parties across the globe to advance company, industry and multi-stakeholder initiatives, including through public-private partnerships. Steve is a member of the World Economic Forum Global Futures Council on Human Rights and Technology and participates inside the Partnership on AI on the “Social and Societal Influences of Artificial Intelligence” working group. In 2016 Steve became the first information technology executive to address the United Nations Security Council. Since joining Microsoft in 1997 Steve has served in a variety of roles, including as VP and Deputy General Counsel for China strategy, VP & DGC for Office, and VP & DGC for Entertainment and Devices (Xbox, Windows Phone, and television and music services). Before joining Microsoft Steve practiced law with the firm now known as K&L Gates, served as International Business Vice President for a company that built out wireless telephone networks in Russia, and established a commercial law practice with special focus on technology transfers and international trade and investment. Steve holds degrees from the University of Washington, the University of Oxford, and Yale Law School. He serves in leadership positions on a range of organizations, including the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber (past chair; executive committee), the Global Network Initiative (executive committee), the International Bar Association Media Law Committee (executive committee), the American Society of International Law (executive council), and the Association of American Rhodes Scholars (past president; executive committee). Steve is fluent in English and Russian.

Experience

1. Vice President and Deputy General Counsel

   Microsoft

   Dec 1997 — Present · Redmond, WA, US

   Steve is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Human Rights, Microsoft Corporation. Steve contributes to development and interpretation of company-wide policies that support advocacy for Rule of Law and respect for human rights in the conduct of the company’s business across the globe. He leads a team of Microsoft professionals who engage other companies, academics, investors, civil society, national governments, and international organizations to advance respect for human rights on the global internet, and participates on the Microsoft AETHER (AI and Ethics in Engineering and Research) committee, assuring that international human rights laws and norms inform Microsoft’s thinking in that area. Steve has served as Microsoft Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for China strategy, VP & DGC for Office, and VP & DGC for Entertainment and Devices (Xbox, Games, and Windows Phone). Earlier in his career Steve practiced law with the firm now known as K&L Gates, served as International Business VP for a company that built out wireless telephone networks in Russia, and established a commercial law practice with special focus on technology transfers and international trade and investment. Steve holds degrees from the University of Washington, Oxford University, and the Yale Law School. He serves in leadership positions on the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (past chair), the Global Network Initiative (executive committee), the International Bar Association (Media Law Committee executive committee), the American Society of International Law (executive council), and the Association of American Rhodes Scholars (past president). Steve speaks regularly at events across the globe on issues related to technology and human rights.

Education

• Yale Law School

  J.D.

• University of Washington

  B.A.

• University of Oxford

  B.A./M.A.