Senior Counsel, Global Alliance - China

AbbVie•Irvine, CA

7d•$160,500 - $305,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As Senior Counsel, Global Alliances Legal, you will join a team of attorneys who support AbbVie’s global alliances organization. You will help shape AbbVie’s strategic collaborations with China-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners by providing practical, business-minded legal counsel across the full lifecycle of complex R&D collaborations — from alliance governance and contract interpretation to amendments, dispute resolution, partner engagement, and strategic program development. You will work closely with Global Alliances, R&D, business development, regulatory, intellectual property, data privacy, operations, commercial, and other corporate functions to advance AbbVie’s collaboration strategy and support the development of innovative medicines. You will also serve as a trusted legal advisor on U.S.-China regulatory and health-authority matters affecting current and prospective collaborations and R&D strategies involving drug development in China — including China’s Human Genetic Resources (HGR) regulations, the U.S. BIOSECURE Act, DOJ Bulk Data Transfer rules, proposed outbound investment restrictions on biotechnology, and U.S. and China foreign investment frameworks. This role suits a collaborative problem solver who works at the intersection of science, law, U.S.-China relations, and global partnership management — and who is motivated to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives.

Requirements

J.D. and currently admitted to the bar in at least one U.S. state is required. Must also be licensed to practice in the state where you will work.
Experience at an Am Law 100 firm or in-house at a major pharmaceutical or life-sciences company.
5+ years of relevant experience in one or more of the following (9+ years preferred): drafting, reviewing, and negotiating life-sciences and pharmaceutical transactions, including licenses, collaborations, co-development arrangements, and other complex R&D agreements; advising business clients and senior management on complex global collaborations, alliance governance, contract interpretation, amendments, disputes, and partner management; and/or advising business clients and senior management on pharmaceutical research, development, regulatory, manufacturing, supply, or commercialization matters.
Substantive knowledge of U.S.-China regulatory frameworks affecting pharmaceutical collaborations and drug development involving China required, including the frameworks described in the Responsibilities section above.
Understanding of scientific, development, regulatory, operational, and commercial concepts in both early- and late-stage development programs.
Ability to work autonomously, take initiative, collaborate across functions and geographies, and drive successful business outcomes.
Advanced legal analysis, communication, judgment, and counseling skills, including the ability to identify and address critical legal and business issues promptly.

Nice To Haves

Experience with China-based pharmaceutical or biotechnology collaborations, cross-border life-sciences transactions, or global alliance management strongly preferred.
Mandarin Chinese proficiency preferred.
Scientific background (undergraduate or graduate education in the sciences) or a demonstrated interest in learning the fundamentals of biology, chemistry, and drug development.

Responsibilities

Work with Global Alliances, R&D leadership, asset strategy teams, disease strategy teams, and other stakeholders to align legal strategy with portfolio objectives and support collaborative decision-making across the product lifecycle.
Advise on and track U.S.-China legal, regulatory, and policy frameworks affecting pharmaceutical collaborations and drug development involving China, including China’s HGR regulations, the BIOSECURE Act, DOJ Bulk Data Transfer rules, proposed outbound investment restrictions on biotechnology, U.S. and China foreign investment frameworks, and related requirements. Translate developments into actionable guidance for Global Alliances, R&D, regulatory, and other stakeholders.
Develop or support training and guidance on the frameworks described above as needed.
Advise on alliance and collaboration matters involving China-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners, focusing on practical legal solutions that support effective governance, execution, and long-term partnership value.
Interpret and analyze complex strategic agreements — including licenses, collaborations, co-development arrangements, and other alliances — and provide clear legal advice to business clients and leadership on issues arising from partnered R&D, manufacturing, supply, and commercialization activities.
Draft, review, and negotiate amendments, governance documents, dispute resolutions, operational agreements, and other documents supporting the post-execution lifecycle of strategic collaborations.
Collaborate with the Transactions Legal team and business development to evaluate, structure, and negotiate new collaborations with China-based counterparties, including deal structuring, due diligence, risk assessment, drafting, and integration planning.