Corporate Counsel, IP

Overview

A leading cloud-first SaaS provider specializing in security and identity solutions is seeking a Patent Attorney with a strong software engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering background. This role involves developing and managing a global patent portfolio, shaping IP strategy, and supporting various intellectual property matters including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Responsibilities

Portfolio Management & Strategic Advice

• Manage the lifecycle of IP assets to align with corporate development and business objectives.
• Develop and implement offensive and defensive IP strategies to maintain competitive advantage.
• Advise on IP-related business risks and emerging legal trends.
• Communicate complex IP concepts in business terms to non-legal stakeholders.
• Refine company-wide IP policies, including invention disclosure and patent incentive programs.

Patent

• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to identify patentable inventions and enhance patent literacy.
• Work with outside counsel on drafting and prosecuting patent applications.
• Monitor industry patent landscape to inform strategy and patent drafting.
• Continuously refine patent strategy to protect core technologies and future innovations.

Other Intellectual Property Issues

• Provide guidance on trade secret strategy and policy implementation.
• Advise on software copyright protection, open source software usage, and manage copyright claims.
• Support trademark registration and enforcement for company brands.
• Address legal issues related to API integrations, digital content, professional services, and developer agreements.
• Draft, review, and negotiate IP provisions in master service agreements, joint development agreements, vendor contracts, and licensing agreements.
• Conduct IP due diligence for acquisitions and prepare related closing documents and transition service agreements.

Compliance and Policy

• Assist with IP-related compliance and industry standards relevant to SaaS and cybersecurity.
• Deliver employee training on IP best practices and confidentiality.

Litigation

• Support all phases of IP litigation as needed.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school with active Bar membership.
• Registered Patent Attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• Undergraduate or graduate degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 5 years of intellectual property experience, including software patent prosecution.
• Experience with SaaS, cloud-based software, or related technologies.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills balanced with practical business judgment.
• Flexibility, team orientation, and a sense of humor.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base salary range for candidates located in California (excluding San Francisco Bay Area), Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Washington: $180,000 to $248,000 USD.
• Additional compensation may include equity (where applicable), bonuses, and benefits such as health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), flexible spending accounts, and paid leave including PTO and parental leave.

Location

• Candidates located in California (excluding San Francisco Bay Area), Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Washington are eligible for the specified salary range.

Equal Opportunity

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or arrest and conviction records consistent with applicable laws.

Reasonable accommodations are available upon request during the application, interview, and onboarding processes.