Intellectual Property Counsel

CPChem•The Woodlands, TX

About The Position

The Intellectual Property Counsel role is a key contributor within Chevron Phillips Chemical’s Legal & Public Affairs organization, supporting the protection, development, and strategic use of the Company’s intellectual property assets across the enterprise. This position plays a critical role in enabling innovation, safeguarding competitive advantage, and supporting business growth by providing practical, business-focused legal counsel on a wide range of intellectual property matters. This role serves as a trusted advisor to research, technology, manufacturing, and commercial stakeholders, working closely with internal clients and outside counsel to manage patent, trademark, trade secret, and related intellectual property issues. The Intellectual Property Counsel connects legal strategy with business and technology objectives, helping ensure that CPChem’s intellectual property portfolio is aligned with operational needs, risk management priorities, and long-term corporate strategy.

Requirements

Law degree from a nationally accredited law school, with strong academic performance
Admission to practice before a U.S. state bar, preferably Texas (Note: Admission to State Bar of Texas will be required in any event after reasonable period of time)
Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
At least 5 years of experience in a corporate legal department or in private practice with relevant intellectual property experience
Highly effective at distilling and explaining complex intellectual property issues to personnel at a variety of levels within the organization
BS Degree Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
Experience overseeing development and maintenance of large domestic and foreign patent portfolios through drafting and prosecution of patents

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or related field
Industrial experience in a field relevant to the organization
Experience in trademark counseling and prosecution
Experience managing budgets with IP service providers
Experience litigating complex intellectual property issues including in the areas of patent and/or trade secret matters
Experience with U.S. or foreign post-grant opposition proceedings
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement intellectual property strategies aligned with business goals
Strong negotiation skills, particularly in licensing and technology transfer agreements
Strong public speaking skills for presenting to internal stakeholders and at industry conferences
Active participation in professional organizations and networks related to IP law

Responsibilities

Serve as primary legal support to selected technology lines and support stakeholders on general IP matters
Oversee patent committee meetings and manage all aspects of the preparation and prosecution of patent applications to implement the company’s domestic and foreign patent strategy
Assist with defensive and offensive EP oppositions
Advise and counsel clients on matters related to intellectual property issues including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets
Analyze and assess third-party patents for potential risk
Conduct training for employees on all aspects of intellectual property
Act as a trusted advisor on IP-related issues in agreements with IP related issues such as university agreements, joint development agreements, non-disclosure agreements, services or consulting agreements, licensing agreements or others.
Manage Trademark portfolio including trademark oppositions and brand enforcement
Advise IT regarding data security and copyright takedown matters