IP Senior Legal Attorney

Aptar Group•Crystal Lake, IL

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Senior IP Attorney will support Aptar’s global intellectual property strategy by managing and protecting intellectual property assets across multiple jurisdictions. The Senior IP Attorney will handle a broad range of IP matters, including portfolio management, licensing, enforcement, and IP-related transactions. This role will also serve as a strategic IP partner to the business, R&D, Innovation, and segment IP teams, helping align IP strategy with commercial objectives and long-term innovation priorities. Aligned with Aptar’s values, the Senior IP Attorney will enable customer success through practical, IP-informed, and legally sound solutions, foster an inclusive, equitable workplace, and uphold Aptar’s Core Values in all professional interactions.

Requirements

Patent attorney, patent agent, European Patent Attorney, or equivalent IP/patent professional qualification required.
U.S. registered patent attorney or patent agent, European Patent Attorney qualification, or equivalent international patent qualification preferred.
Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent legal degree from an accredited institution preferred, but not required.
Technical expertise relevant to Aptar’s application fields preferred.
Typically 10+ years of experience in IP law, patent practice, IP portfolio management, or a comparable IP professional role, whether in-house, at a law firm, patent agency, or comparable professional setting.
Experience with patents and IP risk topics, including FTO, prosecution, disputes, oppositions, post-grant challenges, and other patent validity proceedings.
Experience working in matrixed or multi‑business organizations preferred.
Proven track record managing IP portfolios and leading complex IP transactions.
Strong understanding of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret law.
In-house experience managing IP portfolios or supporting IP litigation at product-based companies or with a global law firm.
Experience with IP litigation and enforcement across multiple jurisdictions.
Familiarity with USPTO, EPO, WIPO, and other international IP offices and procedures.
Business-oriented mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

Technical background (e.g., engineering, life sciences, software) is a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide IP analysis and practical guidance on patent and IP matters in support of segment IP leaders.
Support interpretation and application of Group IP standards, templates, and minimum requirements.
Assist in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex IP-related documents and IP-related commercial contract provisions (e.g., licenses, NDAs, collaboration clauses, technology transfers, joint development agreements).
Support IP due diligence in M&A, strategic partnerships, and other corporate transactions.
Mentor junior IP/legal staff and contribute to the development of IP capabilities across the legal team.
Develop and implement internal IP policies, procedures, and training programs, including conducting IP training for business, R&D, and legal stakeholders.
Provide litigation, opposition, enforcement, and dispute-support assistance, including coordinating with external counsel, gathering relevant technical and business input, reviewing submissions, and supporting case strategy.
Perform or coordinate preliminary IP analyses (prior art, risk framing, issue spotting).
Support dispute, opposition, litigation, and patent challenge matters under the direction of the Global Head of Intellectual Property, including coordination with external counsel and segment IP leadership.
Lead enforcement actions against IP infringement, including cease-and-desist letters, administrative proceedings, and litigation.
Coordinate with external counsel on IP disputes and support internal stakeholders on strategy and resolution.
Capture and document lessons learned from disputes and risk cases.
Conduct/ Support claim drafting and prosecution strategy to improve quality, enforceability, and alignment with business intent.
Ensure filings meet Group quality gates and documentation expectations.
Act as an IP/patent strategy sounding board for segment IP leaders on prosecution tactics.
Provide IP support on claim strategy and quality, including breadth, enforceability, and alignment with business objectives.
Coordinate with segment IP leaders to ensure filings reflect invention intent and business strategy, while being legally robust.
Support or oversee patent prosecution, office action responses, invention disclosure review, and related patent portfolio activities in coordination with segment IP leadership and external counsel.
Identify and evaluate underutilized IP assets for potential reuse, licensing, or monetization.
Lead and support portfolio review exercises including renewals, pruning, coverage analysis, competitive positioning, and strategic alignment with business priorities.
Provide legal input and guidance to cross-segment IP reuse, portfolio synergy, product launch, marketing, and vendor-related initiatives.
Partner with R&D, Engineering, Marketing, and Procurement teams to identify and protect innovations and brand assets.
Support development of processes to improve portfolio quality, reduce unnecessary spend, and increase the strategic value of Aptar’s IP assets.
Manage and oversee day-to-day interaction with external IP counsel under agreed rules-of-engagement.
Prepare work scopes, briefing materials, and legal context to improve efficiency and cost control.
Review and challenge external counsel work product for quality and strategic alignment, commercial relevance, and cost effectiveness.
Coordinate external counsel strategy, budgets, and deliverables in connection with prosecution, disputes, oppositions, enforcement, and IP transactional matters.