IP Legal Attorney

Aptar Group•Crystal Lake, IL

1d•Remote

About The Position

The IP Attorney will support Aptar’s global intellectual property strategy by helping manage and protect intellectual property assets across multiple jurisdictions. The IP Attorney will support a broad range of IP matters, including portfolio management, licensing, enforcement, and IP-related transactions. This role will also serve as a practical IP partner to the business, R&D, Innovation, and segment IP teams, helping align IP/patent support with commercial objectives and innovation priorities. Aligned with Aptar’s values, the IP Attorney will enable customer success through practical, IP-informed, and legally sound solutions, support sustainability and compliance with environmental regulations, and foster an inclusive, equitable workplace. Uphold Aptar’s Core Values in all professional interactions.

Requirements

Patent attorney, patent agent, European Patent Attorney, or equivalent IP/patent professional qualification required.
U.S. registered patent attorney or patent agent, European Patent Attorney qualification, or equivalent international patent qualification preferred.
Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent legal degree from an accredited institution preferred, but not required.
Typically 4-6 years of experience in IP law, patent practice, IP portfolio management, or a comparable IP professional role, whether in-house, at a law firm, patent agency, or comparable professional setting.
Technical expertise relevant to Aptar’s application fields preferred.
Experience with patents and IP risk topics, including FTO, prosecution, disputes, oppositions, post-grant challenges, and other patent validity proceedings.
Experience working in matrixed or multi‑business organizations preferred.
Experience supporting IP portfolios and IP-related transactions.
Strong understanding of patent matters and working knowledge of trademark, copyright, and trade secret issues.
Strategic IP thinking and pragmatic execution mindset.
Commercially oriented judgment with ability to translate IP issues into practical business guidance.
Stakeholder management and cross-cultural collaboration.
Judgment under uncertainty; risk-based decision making.
Clear communication (executive-level and operational).
Continuous improvement orientation; ability to simplify and standardize without damaging what works.

Nice To Haves

In-house experience managing IP portfolios or supporting IP litigation at product-based companies or with a global law firm.
Technical background (e.g., engineering, life sciences, software) is a plus.
Experience with IP litigation and enforcement across multiple jurisdictions.
Familiarity with USPTO, EPO, WIPO, and other international IP offices and procedures.
Exposure to IP issues in technology, software, life sciences, pharma, medical devices, or consumer products.
Experience with IP due diligence in M&A or licensing transactions.
Business-oriented mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

Provide IP analysis and practical guidance on patent and IP matters in support of segment IP leaders.
Support interpretation and application of Group IP standards, templates, and minimum requirements.
Assist in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex IP-related documents and IP-related commercial contract provisions (e.g., licenses, NDAs, collaboration clauses, technology transfers, joint development agreements).
Support IP due diligence in M&A, strategic partnerships, and other corporate transactions.
Contribute to the development of IP capabilities across the legal team.
Develop and implement internal IP policies, procedures, and training programs, including conducting IP training for business, R&D, and legal stakeholders.
Perform or coordinate preliminary IP analyses (prior art, risk framing, issue spotting).
Support dispute, opposition, litigation, and patent challenge matters under the direction of the Global Head of Intellectual Property or Senior IP Attorney, including coordination with external counsel and segment IP leadership.
Support enforcement actions against IP infringement, including cease-and-desist letters, administrative proceedings, and litigation.
Coordinate with external counsel in IP disputes and support internal stakeholders on strategy and resolution.
Capture and document lessons learned from disputes and risk cases.
Support claim drafting and prosecution strategy under the direction of the Global Head of Intellectual Property, Senior IP Attorney, or segment IP leadership to improve quality, enforceability, and alignment with business intent.
Ensure filings meet Group quality gates and documentation expectations.
Act as an IP/patent strategy sounding board for segment IP leaders on prosecution tactics.
Provide IP support on claim strategy and quality (breadth, enforceability), and quality gates where appropriate.
Coordinate with segment IP leaders to ensure filings reflect invention intent and business strategy, while being legally robust.
Support patent prosecution, office action responses, invention disclosure review, and related patent portfolio activities in coordination with the Senior IP Attorney, segment IP leadership, and external counsel.
Support internal stakeholders on prosecution strategy and related portfolio decisions.
Assist in identifying underutilized IP assets for potential reuse, licensing, or monetization.
Support portfolio review exercises (renewals, pruning, coverage analysis, competitive positioning).
Provide IP input and guidance on cross-segment IP reuse and synergy initiatives, including issues related to product launches, marketing campaigns, and vendor relationships.
Partner with R&D, Engineering, Marketing, and Procurement teams to identify and protect innovations and brand assets.
Support day-to-day interaction with external IP counsel under agreed rules-of-engagement and in coordination with the Global Head of Intellectual Property or Senior IP Attorney.
Prepare work scopes, briefing materials, and legal context to improve efficiency and cost control.
Review external counsel work product for quality and alignment with internal strategy, under the direction of the Global Head of Intellectual Property or Senior IP Attorney.
Represent the company, where appropriate, in industry groups and external forums related to IP law and policy.