IP Counsel, Patents
Provides strategic patent and broader intellectual property counsel across research, product, and technical teams, including portfolio development, prosecution, transactions, licensing, and third-party assertions. Requires a JD, state bar admission, USPTO registration, and substantial patent experience.
About the job
Responsibilities
- Support and contribute to the organic patent development process, including invention harvesting, drafting oversight, prosecution management, and coordination with outside counsel.
- Develop and implement comprehensive patent strategies in the U.S. and internationally aligned with business objectives and technology roadmaps.
- Provide broad IP guidance across patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and open source.
- Support analysis and responses to third-party patent demands.
- Evaluate strategic patent acquisition and licensing opportunities.
- Conduct IP due diligence for M&A transactions and strategic partnerships.
- Advise on IP aspects of commercial agreements, including licenses, joint development agreements, and technology transfers.
- Educate technical teams on best practices for protecting innovations.
Requirements
- JD and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
- Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Substantial patent experience, including invention harvesting, prosecution, and portfolio development.
- Working knowledge of trademarks, trade secrets, and open source.
- Experience working directly with engineers, researchers, or product teams to identify and protect inventions.
- Ability to explain IP concepts clearly to non-lawyers.
- Experience contributing to and implementing IP strategies in rapidly evolving technical environments.
- Experience balancing legal protection with business practicality in a collaborative setting.
Nice-to-haves
- 10+ years of legal experience with demonstrated expertise across the IP spectrum, particularly patents.
- Active membership in the California bar.
- Advanced degree in computer science, engineering, or a related technical field.
- Deep expertise in one or more IP areas beyond patents.
- Experience with AI, machine learning, or related cutting-edge technologies.
- Experience analyzing and responding to third-party patent assertions, or evaluating patent acquisitions and licensing transactions.
- In-house experience at a technology company or experience supporting technology clients through rapid growth.
Compensation and benefits
- Annual salary: $335,000–$385,000 USD.
- Competitive compensation and benefits.
- Optional equity donation matching.
- Generous vacation and parental leave.
- Flexible working hours.
- Office collaboration space.
- Visa sponsorship may be available.
Skills
Patent Strategy, Patent Prosecution, Invention Harvesting, Patent Portfolio Development, Trademarks, Trade Secrets, Open Source, Ip Due Diligence, Licensing, Technology Transfers, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
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