Corporate Counsel, Intellectual Property

Masco • Livonia, MI

8d

About The Position

Overview: Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS) is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of brand-name products for the home improvement market. Our products include faucets, paints and stains, bath and shower units, spas and saunas, showering and plumbing specialties, and decorative hardware. We have market-leading brands in architectural coatings (Behr, KILZ), plumbing (Delta, Hansgrohe, Axor, Brizo, BrassCraft, Peerless), and home hardware and other specialty products (Hot Spring, Caldera, Endless Pools, Liberty Hardware). For more information on the Masco family of brands, visit www.masco.com. Masco's Legal Department has an opening for a Corporate Intellectual Property Counsel who will serve as a business partner to one or more of Masco’s business units and has experience across a broad range of intellectual property legal topics. This is a senior-level position that requires a strategic approach to complex legal issues, working with a cross-functional team in a high-paced, matrixed environment. This position reports to the head of Global IP. Position Summary: Act as the main intellectual property counsel to one or more large Masco business units, with ability to influence on business strategy Provide advice and counsel on a broad range of intellectual property matters, including patent, design, trademark, copyright, and trade secret portfolio management Intellectual property-related agreements; advertising and marketing; and other commercial contracts implicating IP rights Provide proactive advice and counsel on matters relating to: Intellectual Property protection and enforcement Emerging consumer technologies M&A transactions and integration of acquired businesses Draft and/or manage outside counsel in the preparation and prosecution of patent, design, and trademark applications Prepare and present legal compliance/education/training programs Coordinate with other cross-functional legal and business experts to identify, evaluate, and address complex legal matters Work with business unit executives to create, maintain, and ensure compliance with corporate policies and procedures

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or materials science, and Juris Doctorate, including a license to practice in at least one state
• Registered to practice before the Patent and Trademark Office
• 10+ years of relevant legal experience, including at least 4+ years of legal experience handling patent and trademark prosecution matters in an IP boutique or AmLaw 200 law firm
• Practical, business-oriented approach to problem solving, complemented by an appreciation of legal complexity and risk
• Work with the highest level of ethics and integrity
• Espouse our values of customer focus, respect for the individual, continuous improvement, and drive for results
• Great communication and interpersonal skills, and experience interacting with senior management
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a team in a dynamic setting
• Ability to travel 10-20% of the time to Masco business units

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree(s) in materials science or chemical engineering.
• Experience providing legal services within a corporate legal department with responsibility for supervising outside counsel and managing budgets
• Experience handling brand protection activities across North America, Europe, and/or Asia

Responsibilities

• Act as the main intellectual property counsel to one or more large Masco business units, with ability to influence on business strategy
• Provide advice and counsel on a broad range of intellectual property matters, including patent, design, trademark, copyright, and trade secret portfolio management
• Intellectual property-related agreements; advertising and marketing; and other commercial contracts implicating IP rights
• Provide proactive advice and counsel on matters relating to: Intellectual Property protection and enforcement Emerging consumer technologies M&A transactions and integration of acquired businesses
• Draft and/or manage outside counsel in the preparation and prosecution of patent, design, and trademark applications
• Prepare and present legal compliance/education/training programs
• Coordinate with other cross-functional legal and business experts to identify, evaluate, and address complex legal matters
• Work with business unit executives to create, maintain, and ensure compliance with corporate policies and procedures

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree