Patent Counsel

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with engineers, scientists, product leaders, and other R&D stakeholders to identify potentially patentable innovations, draw out key technical details, and develop invention disclosures into mature submissions ready for outside patent prosecution counsel.
• Lead third-party patent portfolio analysis, freedom-to-operate and clearance reviews, and risk assessments in collaboration with senior legal leadership and outside counsel.
• Provide support to litigation matters with claims analysis.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the WHOOP trademark portfolio, including coordinating filings, renewals, watch notices, routine enforcement matters, and managing outside counsel.
• Help develop, document, and roll out internal IP policies, workflows, and trainings that improve how teams identify, protect, and use intellectual property.
• Build scalable operational processes for patent portfolio management, including helping evaluate, implement, and maintain an internal docketing system.
• Serve as a trusted cross-functional partner to Legal, R&D, Product, and business teams by translating complex IP concepts into clear, practical guidance.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school, USPTO patent attorney registration, and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• 6+ years of experience in patent law and intellectual property counseling, preferably a mix of major law firm and in-house experience.
• Technical background in electrical engineering, signal processing, or optics is preferred.
• Experience working directly with technical teams to evaluate inventions, understand complex technologies, and translate early-stage concepts into strong patent disclosures or related IP recommendations.
• Familiarity with patent landscape analysis, third-party portfolio review, freedom-to-operate or clearance analysis, and coordinating with outside counsel on patent-related matters.
• Experience managing or supporting trademark portfolio work is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to build processes, improve workflows, and support the operational foundation of a growing legal or IP function, including comfort with docketing or portfolio management systems.
• Strong judgment, communication skills, and the ability to balance legal risk, business priorities, and technical complexity in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong commitment to embracing and leveraging AI tools in day-to-day tasks.