Lead Intellectual Property Counsel

ZOLL Medical•Chelmsford, MA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Lead Intellectual Property Counsel will join ZOLL’s growing team of in-house IP professionals and be based at the company’s headquarters in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, with hybrid work arrangements available. In this role, the individual will have primary responsibility for strategically developing and managing ZOLL’s global patent portfolio in support of the Acute Care Technology Division. In addition, the Lead Intellectual Property Counsel will partner closely with the Head of Intellectual Property for the Acute Care Technology Division to manage IP risk, conduct product clearance analyses, support M&A due diligence, and enhance IP-related processes. This role requires a high degree of independence and leadership in building robust patent portfolios covering both current and next-generation products. Responsibilities include drafting and prosecuting patent applications in-house, as well as overseeing and guiding external counsel. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted strategic advisor to business leaders and collaborate closely with engineers and technical teams to identify, evaluate, and protect innovation. Reporting to ZOLL’s Head of Intellectual Property for the Acute Care Technology Division, this position requires a combination of strong technical expertise, sound legal judgment, and business acumen to ensure that IP strategies are effectively aligned with organizational objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree with 10+ years of relevant experience or Graduate Degree (Masters or above) with 5+ years of relevant experience
Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Background in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, computer science/software and/or medical devices
At least 5-10 years of experience in preparing and prosecuting patent applications with a law firm or corporation, including drafting patent applications in coordination with inventors
Experience in managing patent portfolios, as in-house or law firm patent counsel
JD with 5+ years of relevant experience
Ability to understand, analyze, and communicate complex technologies in oral and written form
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate clearly and concisely
Strong skills in patent searching and monitoring

Nice To Haves

Experience as a Patent Examiner is a plus
Experience in strategic management of patent portfolios is strongly preferred
Experience with intellectual property due diligence, strategic IP counseling and product clearance is strongly preferred
Experience managing or advising on trademarks is optional and a plus

Responsibilities

Strategic patent portfolio management which includes interfacing with business leaders concerning IP matters, preparation and prosecution of patent applications, managing brainstorming sessions, preparation of new ideas for consideration by ZOLL’s IP review committee, product clearance and intellectual property due diligence.
Drafting and prosecuting patent applications in-house.
Overseeing and guiding external counsel.
Managing IP risk.
Conducting product clearance analyses.
Supporting M&A due diligence.
Enhancing IP-related processes.
Identifying, evaluating, and protecting innovation in collaboration with engineers and technical teams.