Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property

Coinbase Careers Page

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

Ready to be pushed beyond what you think you’re capable of?
At Coinbase, our mission is to increase economic freedom in the world. It’s a massive, ambitious opportunity that demands the best of us, every day, as we build the emerging onchain platform — and with it, the future global financial system.
To achieve our mission, we’re seeking a very specific candidate. We want someone who is passionate about our mission and who believes in the power of crypto and blockchain technology to update the financial system. We want someone who is eager to leave their mark on the world, who relishes the pressure and privilege of working with high caliber colleagues, and who actively seeks feedback to keep leveling up. We want someone who will run towards, not away from, solving the company’s hardest problems.
Our work culture is intense and isn’t for everyone. But if you want to build the future alongside others who excel in their disciplines and expect the same from you, there’s no better place to be.
While many roles at Coinbase are remote-first, we are not remote-only. In-person participation is required throughout the year. Team and company-wide offsites are held multiple times annually to foster collaboration, connection, and alignment. Attendance is expected and fully supported.
Coinbase is leading the expansion of digital currency into the financial mainstream. We are building a world-class legal team to support Coinbase and its affiliates as we continue to grow the company in the U.S. and internationally. You will be working in a cutting edge and fast paced environment, where disruptive technologies and unconventional thinking are the norm. Given the nascent state of the law, novel legal guidance is needed!
We are looking for a passionate IP litigation and portfolio development counsel who can help lead the defense of the company in patent and other high-stakes IP litigation as well as help us build a defensive patent portfolio to protect Coinbase and the crypto community. An engaged and enthusiastic person with a good sense of humor will thrive on our team!

Requirements

• Current license in a U.S. state. JD or equivalent with 5+ years of patent preparation and prosecution and/or patent litigation experience, with a strong preference for those with 3+ years of patent litigation experience.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of crypto, or passion & ability to become a crypto expert.
• A high degree of self-sufficiency and ability to make judgments independently.
• Ability to create friendly and collaborative working relationships, particularly with your teammates, the rest of the legal department, internal clients, and outside counsel
• Action-oriented mindset with the ability to execute and deliver impact in the first 90 days and beyond.
• Be able to distill complicated matters and communicate in plain language to a variety of audiences

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the crypto industry is a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Engage in developing strategies to defend Coinbase in high-stakes IP disputes
• Help shape Coinbase’s patent portfolio strategy
• Work with our innovators to harvest inventions and create content for inventor education and outreach
• Manage patent preparation and prosecution, oversee outside counsel, and develop analytical tools and processes to optimize Coinbase’s patent portfolio
• Perform IP due diligence and advise on IP transactional issues
• Engage in thought leadership, including proactively advising on legislative and judicial developments in IP

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree