# Lead Counsel, Product and IP

**Company:** [Scale AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/scale-ai)
**Location:** San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, Seattle, WA
**Role:** Legal
**Salary:** $231k – $289k/yr
**Experience:** 5+ years
**Skills:** Intellectual Property Law, Patents, Trademarks, Machine Learning, AI, Open Source Governance, Data Licensing, Regulatory Compliance
**Posted:** 2026-02-12

> Advise on product development and IP strategy for AI technologies, managing patents, trademarks, risks, and cross-functional partnerships. Requires 5+ years IP law experience, JD, and technical fluency in ML/AI.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- **Strategic Product Advice**: Lead IP strategy across product lifecycle, advise on product and regulatory matters.
- **Cross-Functional Collaboration**: Partner with Research, Product, Engineering, Operations, Communications, and Marketing to mitigate IP risks in data licensing and open-source governance.
- **IP Counsel**: Manage worldwide IP portfolio, including patents and trademarks; assist with prosecution and enforcement.
- **Risk Mitigation**: Advise on third-party, synthetic, and open-source data/models; design open-source governance policies.
- **Agreements**: Draft and negotiate IP-related commercial agreements.
- **Specialized Expertise**: Provide counsel on machine learning, robotics, and technical areas.
- **Training**: Develop and deliver IP and data licensing training.

## Requirements
- 5+ years in intellectual property law at top-tier law firm or in-house (ideally product counseling in high-growth tech).
- JD and active U.S. state bar membership (California preferred).
- Strategic thinking, risk calibration, collaboration, agility, technical fluency in AI/ML.

## Compensation
Base salary: $231,000 - $288,750 USD (San Francisco, New York, Seattle), plus equity and benefits.

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