Job description
NovaTech IP Counsel is a forward-thinking firm seeking a Senior Intellectual Property Counsel to lead and expand our IP program for a rapidly evolving technology portfolio. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution, spanning patents, trademarks and copyrights.
As a member of our legal team, you will collaborate with product, engineering and business leaders to protect innovations, maximize portfolio value and mitigate risk across domestic and international markets.
Responsibility
- Lead development and management of a global IP portfolio, including patent prosecution, patent strategy, trademark and copyright protection.
- Advise on freedom-to-operate analyses, competitive landscape, due diligence for M&A and partnerships, and IP risk assessment.
- Draft and negotiate licensing, collaboration, and material transfer agreements; oversee engagement with external counsel as needed.
- Manage patent analytics, landscape mapping and invention capture processes; coordinate with R&D and product teams to maximize portfolio value.
- Build and mentor junior IP staff; design and deliver IP training programs for engineers and product managers.
- Develop IP risk mitigation strategies for products and deployments, including open source compliance and enforcement planning.
- Oversee budgeting, metrics, and reporting for the IP program to senior leadership.
Qualification
- J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school; active California bar admission; USPTO registration to practice before the patent office or eligibility required.
- 6+ years of experience in intellectual property law, preferably in high-tech, software, semiconductor or electronics sectors.
- Demonstrated expertise in patent prosecution, portfolio development, and patent analytics; strong knowledge of trademark and copyright protection.
- Experience drafting and negotiating complex IP licenses, collaborations and R&D agreements; ability to manage external counsel and budgets.
- Proven ability to work cross-functionally with product, engineering and business teams; excellent written and verbal communication and negotiation skills.
- Familiarity with open source compliance, export controls, privacy considerations, and IP enforcement strategies; strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent drafting, research and presentation skills; project management experience and high ethical standards.