Senior Counsel, Patent Litigation

Bristol Myers Squibb•Princeton, NJ

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Working at Bristol Myers Squibb is challenging, meaningful, and life-changing, offering uniquely interesting work that transforms patients' lives. The company emphasizes balance and flexibility, providing competitive benefits and opportunities for growth. Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is seeking an experienced Senior Counsel, Patent Litigation to join its Innovation Law / Patent Litigation team. This role reports directly to BMS’s Head of Patent Litigation and is critical for protecting company innovations, leading global patent litigation, and aligning strategy with business objectives. Success requires expertise in pharmaceutical patent litigation, strong judgment, business acumen, and collaborative skills within a highly matrixed global organization. BMS is dedicated to transforming patients’ lives through science, empowering employees to apply their talents and unique perspectives in a supportive culture, promoting global participation in clinical trials, while upholding shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion, and integrity.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and admission to at least one U.S. state bar
8+ years of pharmaceutical patent litigation experience
Substantial experience with U.S. patent litigation matters, including Hatch-Waxman and BPCIA litigations
Experience with global patent litigation matters, including enforcement and defense proceedings in jurisdictions outside the U.S.
Demonstrated written and oral communication skills, including the ability to provide clear, practical, and business‑oriented legal advice to key stakeholders
Recognized for exercising sound judgment, operating with a high degree of autonomy while fostering collaboration, and delivering practical, integrity-driven solutions

Nice To Haves

Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Strong technical background in chemistry, biology, or a related field
Judicial clerkship or internship with a U.S. District Court or the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Responsibilities

Lead and manage significant U.S. patent litigations, including under the Hatch‑Waxman Act and the Biologics Price, Competition, and Innovation Act (BPCIA)
Serve as global patent litigation lead for assigned products, driving strategy across jurisdictions in collaboration with Innovation Law colleagues and outside counsel
Work closely with BMS’s Head of Patent Litigation to develop and execute global patent litigation strategy, including case assessment, discovery, expert strategy, settlement evaluation, and trial preparation
Serve as the primary in‑house point of contact for outside counsel, including helping set strategy, managing budgets, and helping ensure consistent, high‑quality representation across jurisdictions
Monitor legal, regulatory, and policy developments affecting pharmaceutical patent litigation and work with Innovation Law colleagues to proactively advise internal stakeholders on potential impact
Contribute to Innovation Law initiatives, including development of best practices, metrics, knowledge‑sharing, and continuous process improvement

Benefits

Competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives
Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care
Wellbeing Support: Programs such as BMS Well-Being Account, BMS Living Life Better, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
Financial Well-being and Protection: 401(k) plan, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection, personal liability protection, identity theft benefit, legal support, and survivor support
Paid Time Off US Exempt Employees: flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval, 11 paid national holidays (not applicable to employees in Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico or Rayzebio employees)
Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico and Rayzebio Exempt, Non-Exempt, Hourly Employees: 160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval, 11 national holidays, and 3 optional holidays
Unlimited paid sick time (based on eligibility)
Up to 2 paid volunteer days per year (based on eligibility)
Summer hours flexibility (based on eligibility)
Leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military needs
Annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Years Day (for all global employees full and part-time who are actively employed at and paid directly by BMS at the end of the calendar year)