Intellectual Property

HARMAN International • US_Richardson_3000 Research Drive, NE

1d • $125,250 - $183,700 • Hybrid

About The Position

The IP Counsel role is an attorney position responsible for providing IP legal and/or business guidance and support to the Lifestyle Division. This position will report directly to senior members of the legal team and work closely and strategically with the legal team to support matters impacting the Lifestyle Division. The successful candidate must be able to timely complete critical assignments with little supervision and have a good understanding of HARMAN’s business objectives. The IP Counsel will support with negotiating and drafting agreements, consulting with and advising internal clients, researching and analyzing legal issues, executing legal projects or initiatives, and providing strategic legal advice on legal issues that contribute to division or SBU market share growth or minimize risk of financial loss or damage to company goodwill. The IP Counsel will serve as the liaison for the SBU and division. A basic level of contract review, drafting, and negotiation experience related to multi-million-dollar agreements is required. Additionally, the successful candidate will have strong communication skills for purposes of interfacing with key customers and senior legal leadership. This role will also support senior attorneys by providing strategic, practical advice and counsel on various business issues and IP legal issues, as well as assist with litigation and corresponding outside counsel law firms and legal service providers.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor and Bar admission (or equivalent in jurisdiction).
• Basic level of contract review, drafting, and negotiation experience related to multi-million-dollar agreements is required.
• Strong communication skills for purposes of interfacing with key customers and senior legal leadership.
• Must be able to demonstrate a basic level of analytic and project management skills, task-focused, works on own initiative to get things done, is able to work under pressure, and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Must have hands-on transactional experience including, but not limited to drafting, reviewing, and negotiating IP licensing agreements, acquisitions and divestitures and related agreements.
• An understanding of patents, trademarks, copyright and trade secrets to develop and counsel clients on protection, risk avoidance, and enforcement strategies.
• Exercises good judgement and sound decision making.
• 5+ years of relevant (generally in-house or law firm) experience and a law degree from law school.
• 5+ years of specialized experience in intellectual property.

Nice To Haves

• Takes initiative to contribute to the improvement of internal processes.
• Effectively uses technology and other resources to achieve the most efficient delivery.
• Takes ownership of tasks seeking guidance and input from others as appropriate.
• Fluency in Mandarin Chinese (written and spoken) preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Chinese intellectual property laws, regulations, and enforcement practices, including trademark, patent, copyright, and anti-counterfeiting matters.

Responsibilities

• Managing Legal and Business Risk
• Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a wide variety of IP related agreements and amendments, including licenses, marketing, joint development, technology transfers, NDAs, assignments, coexistence and settlement agreements in coordination with the legal team.
• Collaborate with the legal team and outside counsel to provide practical, creative legal advice and instructions on a broad range of topics based on technology/product and roadmaps, corporate strategy, and global portfolio decisions in a fast-paced, high growth environment.
• Working closely with the legal team to support the teams charged with generating business and proactively establishing relationships across the legal team and with other departments including operations, marketing, finance, product, sales, and engineering, among others.
• Support various members of the legal department with corporate, MD&A including IP due diligence, IP portfolio management, litigation and dispute resolution, and other legal matters.
• Provides specialist legal support in terms of consulting and advising internal clients, developing strategic partnerships, coordinating with external counsel on case strategy, negotiating with contractors, and/or representing the company in important legal matters.
• Promptly and effectively addresses unforeseen legal risks if they arise and communicates to legal colleagues within the legal department in a timely manner; processes, uncertain, or incomplete information quickly to identify potential implications for the business.
• Provide counseling and other legal support for division or SBU with new production introduction, research and development, and encouraging innovation.
• Negotiates and drafts contracts for SBU or division as assigned by the senior attorneys.
• Collaborates with other legal and compliance staff and organizational partners to develop and provide trainings; develop, update and maintain templates, negotiation resources and playbooks.
• Contributes to development and implementation of scale commercial legal processes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Access to employee discounts on HARMAN and Samsung products (including JBL, Harman / Kardon, AKG, and others)
• Learning and development opportunities through our award-winning HARMAN University programs
• Wellness benefits designed to support your overall well-being
• Tuition reimbursement support
• Access to the HARMAN campus fitness center and cafeteria, where available

What This Job Offers

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