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

• Oversee the lifecycle of the organization's IP assets, ensuring alignment with corporate development and business goals.
• Develop and execute offensive and defensive IP strategies to maintain competitive advantage in the identity market.
• Advise on IP-related business risks and emerging legal trends.
• Translate complex IP concepts into business-oriented advice for non-legal stakeholders.
• Refine company-wide IP policies, including invention disclosure programs and patent incentive schemes.

Patent

• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to identify patentable inventions and promote patent literacy.
• Work with outside counsel on drafting and prosecuting high-quality patent applications.
• Monitor the industry patent landscape to guide patent strategy and drafting.
• Refine patent strategy to ensure broad protection of core technologies and identify next-generation innovations.

Other Intellectual Property Issues

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

Compliance and Policy

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

Litigation

• Support all phases of IP litigation.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school with active Bar membership.
• Registered Patent Attorney with the USPTO.
• Undergraduate or graduate degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of IP experience, including software patent prosecution.
• Experience with SaaS, cloud-based software, or related technologies.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, balancing rigorous legal analysis with practical business needs.
• Strong teamwork skills, flexibility, and a sense of humor.
• Ability and desire to work independently.

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 includes equity (where applicable), bonus, 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, or status as a protected veteran. Applicants with arrest and conviction records are also considered in accordance with applicable laws.

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

Additional Information

• The role may involve the use of Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDT) in compliance with applicable local laws.
• The organization complies with data privacy and security laws and regulations relevant to personnel and job candidates.