IP Counsel

Overview

The organization is seeking an IP Counsel to drive intellectual property (IP) risk management, with a focus on freedom-to-operate and invalidity analyses, and to support technical transactions with significant IP components. This role partners across the business to translate complex IP considerations into practical guidance that supports innovation and strategic growth.

Responsibilities

IP Risk Identification and Mitigation

• Drive freedom-to-operate and invalidity analyses to identify and mitigate IP risks throughout the products lifecycle and for strategic business initiatives.
• Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice balancing legal risks with organizational objectives, including design-around opportunities, licensing strategies, and other risk mitigation approaches.
• Contribute to the implementation of processes for proactive IP risk identification and mitigation.
• Partner to manage pre-litigation issues, intellectual property disputes, oppositions, and other litigation matters.

Technology Transactions Support

• Facilitate review, negotiation, and drafting of research collaboration, material transfer, technology evaluation, data use, licensing, and other agreements with substantial IP components.
• Provide IP support for strategic collaborations, partnerships, and business development transactions.
• Advise on IP ownership, licensing, data rights, publication rights, and other issues in research and development agreements.

Growth of the IP Program

• Collaborate with other legal team members on development and continued enhancement of the organization’s IP program, including support for patent prosecution.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial, and executive stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver IP education and training programs to increase IP awareness across the organization.
• Manage outside IP counsel and related legal budgets.

Requirements

• J.D. or equivalent law degree with active bar membership.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant legal experience, including substantive work in life sciences IP (diagnostics, biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, genomics, or related life sciences fields).
• Demonstrated experience conducting and advising on freedom-to-operate and invalidity analyses, including the ability to assess complex legal risks and develop practical, solution-oriented business recommendations.
• Experience and interest in growing skills in transactional practice involving complex agreements with IP components. Interest in patent prosecution support is welcomed.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Scientific degree (including advanced degree) in a life sciences discipline.
• Experience managing matters for diagnostics, molecular biology, genomics, or related industries.
• Law firm training in FTO analysis, opinion work, and patent or technology transactions practice.
• Patent bar membership.
• Experience managing outside counsel.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base pay range (final salary offered depends on factors including years of experience, skillset, geographic location, industry, education, etc.):
  • $211,000—$277,000 USD
• Additional compensation may include discretionary bonuses/incentives and restricted stock units.
• Benefits include competitive compensation and benefits, with an emphasis on fostering an inclusive workforce.

Location

• Hybrid or remote roles are available.
• #LI-Hybrid, or #LI-Remote
• Compensation ranges by location:
  • For candidates based in the San Diego office: $221,000 - $252,500
  • For candidates based in the South San Francisco office: $239,000 - $277,800
  • For candidates working remote (US): $211,000 - $240,000

Equal Opportunity Employer

The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. The organization participates in E-Verify in the United States.