IP Legal Counsel

Alcon • Fort Worth, TX

14h • Onsite

About The Position

At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate boldly, champion progress, and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here, you’ll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together, we go above and beyond to make an impact in the lives of our patients and customers. We foster an inclusive culture and are looking for diverse, talented people to join Alcon. As an IP Legal Counsel supporting our Legal and Compliance team, you will be trusted to work on intellectual property matters related to ophthalmic materials, medical devices, and manufacturing technologies in our Fort Worth, TX office. In this role, a typical day will include: Manage invention disclosures, including collecting and screening disclosures, conducting inventor interviews, presenting disclosures at patent committee meetings, and making recommendations Prepare, prosecute, and manage Alcon’s global patent portfolio, including direct preparation and prosecution of patent applications before the USPTO Review and manage outside counsel work to ensure quality and cost effectiveness, consistent with Alcon expectations and IP strategy Manage legal costs and outside counsel spend to support budget objectives and priorities Conduct due diligence and freedom-to-operate assessments related to product development, M&A, and licensing activities Conduct strategic assessments of competitor products and IP portfolios Collaborate with cross-functional teams and counsel a variety of clients on IP and other legal issues Interact with and provide legal and strategic guidance to R&D and commercial stakeholders, senior management, and other organizational functions Providing legal support on IP-related agreements, including R&D agreements, confidentiality agreements, license agreements, and consulting agreements Assist internal and external litigation counsel on IP litigation and administrative patent proceedings, including reexaminations and oppositions Conduct internal training on IP-related issues and processes, including IP capture, patent strategy, confidentiality and contamination, and trade secret protection Provide input and advice regarding IP issues related to regulatory, marketing, and promotional materials Occasional domestic or foreign travel

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school+15 yrs. Assoc.+11 yrs.; M.S.+4 yrs.; PhD+3 yrs.)
• The ability to fluently read, write, understand, and communicate in English
• 7 Years of Relevant Experience
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school, with strong academic performance
• Admission to at least one U.S. state bar and registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Nice To Haves

• Preferred areas of education in engineering, chemistry, materials science, physics, or a related technical field, with strong academic performance
• Experience practicing patent law, including patent preparation and prosecution, preferably in the medical device, life sciences, or advanced technology sectors
• Demonstrated ability to manage patent portfolios, interact effectively with inventors, and provide practical, business‑oriented legal advice
• Experience working with cross‑functional teams, including R&D and commercial stakeholders
• Preferably, working knowledge of patent law in international jurisdictions and experience with patent conflicts, including reexaminations, EPO oppositions, and/or patent litigation.

Responsibilities

• Manage invention disclosures, including collecting and screening disclosures, conducting inventor interviews, presenting disclosures at patent committee meetings, and making recommendations
• Prepare, prosecute, and manage Alcon’s global patent portfolio, including direct preparation and prosecution of patent applications before the USPTO
• Review and manage outside counsel work to ensure quality and cost effectiveness, consistent with Alcon expectations and IP strategy
• Manage legal costs and outside counsel spend to support budget objectives and priorities
• Conduct due diligence and freedom-to-operate assessments related to product development, M&A, and licensing activities
• Conduct strategic assessments of competitor products and IP portfolios
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and counsel a variety of clients on IP and other legal issues
• Interact with and provide legal and strategic guidance to R&D and commercial stakeholders, senior management, and other organizational functions
• Providing legal support on IP-related agreements, including R&D agreements, confidentiality agreements, license agreements, and consulting agreements
• Assist internal and external litigation counsel on IP litigation and administrative patent proceedings, including reexaminations and oppositions
• Conduct internal training on IP-related issues and processes, including IP capture, patent strategy, confidentiality and contamination, and trade secret protection
• Provide input and advice regarding IP issues related to regulatory, marketing, and promotional materials
• Occasional domestic or foreign travel

Benefits

• Alcon provides robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off for exempt associates, PTO for hourly associates, and much more!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level