Jon Vermandel

Jon Vermandel is currently serving as a Product Counsel at Google, where he plays a crucial role in guiding the company's product development and legal compliance. His responsibilities include understanding the intricacies of Google's products and aligning legal strategies with business objectives to facilitate growth. Vermandel emphasizes the importance of risk mitigation, advising teams on potential legal challenges while fostering a collaborative environment to navigate these issues effectively.1

In discussions about the role of product counsel, Vermandel has highlighted that it is essential for legal professionals in this position to possess a deep understanding of both the product and the broader business strategy. This knowledge enables them to provide informed guidance that not only addresses legal risks but also supports innovation and market competitiveness.1 He believes that successful product counsel must act as connectors among various stakeholders, including in-house legal teams, outside counsel, and business units, ensuring that all parties are aligned in their approach to product development.1

Vermandel's insights reflect a growing trend in the tech industry where product counsel are increasingly involved throughout the product lifecycle, particularly in areas such as privacy and consumer protection, which have become critical due to evolving regulations like GDPR and state-level data privacy laws.1