Counsel, Intellectual Property - Innovation

VF Corporation

131d • $159,840 - $199,800

About The Position

The Counsel, Intellectual Property – Innovation, will be part of a team of attorneys and paralegals and partner closely with the senior members and legal leaders of the team, VF brand business teams and Legal Department colleagues to provide strategic oversight for, and execution and enforcement of, the intellectual property of several brands in VF’s portfolio. A day in the life of a Counsel, Intellectual Property - Innovation at VF includes serving as the lead intellectual property legal partner to all VF brands on all things innovation, advising the business, and working with a team to deliver comprehensive IP support. Responsibilities include managing VF’s innovation development and enforcement strategy, building strong partnerships with brand teams, reviewing patent disclosures, preparing cease and desist letters, providing IP legal support for corporate projects, evaluating and protecting product innovations, developing training for teams, and managing budgets.

Requirements

• 5+ years as an attorney at reputable law firms or in-house.
• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Experience with global patent portfolios (design and utility), brand protection/enforcement, patent preparation and prosecution.
• Admitted to practice law and in good standing in at least one state/jurisdiction.
• Ability to conduct freedom to operate and infringement assessments.
• Strong leadership skills; ability to lead, influence, and advise at all levels.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-starter, able to work independently and as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in negotiating intercompany, technology license, and joint development agreements.
• Ability to think differently and creatively.
• Willingness to travel by air and overnight, up to 20% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead intellectual property legal partner to all VF brands on all things innovation.
• Advise the business and work with a team of attorneys, paralegals and brand protection specialists to deliver comprehensive IP support.
• Manage VF’s innovation development and enforcement strategy, including prosecution, counseling, clearance, due diligence, and enforcement.
• Build strong partnerships with brand teams and Legal Department colleagues.
• Review and analyze patent disclosures to determine viability.
• Prepare cease and desist letters and negotiate settlements of disputes.
• Provide IP legal support for corporate restructuring projects, international tax initiatives, and mergers & acquisitions.
• Evaluate, protect, and prosecute new utility and design product innovations.
• Develop and deliver training for product and marketing teams on IP principles.
• Review and authorize third-party invoices.

Benefits

• Medical plan options.
• Annual incentive plan eligibility.
• Sales incentive or commission potential.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees