Senior IP Paralegal

VF Corporation•Costa Mesa, CA

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior IP Paralegal will be part of a team of attorneys and paralegals, working closely with supervising attorneys, VF brand business teams and Legal Department colleagues to provide strategic oversight for VF brand intellectual property protection and enforcement worldwide. This role will be responsible for providing a portfolio of brands – namely, the Vans®, JanSport®, Eastpak® and Kipling® brands – with global legal support in litigations, oppositions, clearance, and applications to continue strengthening our brand identities across the globe.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of intellectual property issues and a firm understanding of brand protection
Global experience
Knowledge of WebTMS, NetDocs, Diams iQ or similar docketing and file management portal
Knowledge of Saegis, Corsearch or similar trademark search and watch database
Ability to assess legal risk and escalate appropriately
Proactive with a strong work ethic, propensity to learn and sense of pride and accountability in work
Ability to anticipate needs, respond to changing demands and develop creative solutions to problems
Capacity to develop and maintain effective, professional relationships among internal and external stakeholders
Ability to travel by air and overnight, as required 15-20% amount of time.
10 years of experience and professional achievements

Nice To Haves

Paralegal certificate

Responsibilities

Develops and executes strategy for protection and enforcement of worldwide intellectual property rights including trademarks, copyrights, patents, domain names and licensing.
Works alongside a team of attorneys and paralegals to provide comprehensive, consistent intellectual property support to brand teams.
Develops strong partnerships with brand teams to understand business objectives, protect brand identity, enforce intellectual property rights, and assess portfolio strengths, risks, and needs; prepares draft updates and summaries on strategic issues for business clients and partners with supervising attorney to communicate strategy to business clients.
Provides legal review and clearance for print and commercial advertisements, catalogs, and product development, partnering with supervising attorneys and escalating as needed; evaluates risk and advises business on routine matters; actively monitors new and longstanding brand content for potential patent, trademark and copyright protection.
Partners with supervising attorneys, Global Brand Enforcement team and outside counsel to investigate and counteract counterfeiting and infringement activities worldwide.
Manages and prepares budget plans, forecasts, and accruals for legal services as needed.
Oversees all outside counsel and vendors to ensure quality of service and implementation of effective fee arrangements.
Builds strategic partnerships with outside counsel and vendors to develop creative fee arrangements and enhance legal strategy in cost-effective manner.
Coordinates evidence gathering for disputes and renewals.
Works with supervising attorneys to support and/or lead intellectual property training to brand teams.
Educates self and their team on emerging trends and issues in intellectual property protection and proactively develops strategies and processes to protect our brands’ IP.
Conducts other legal and administrative tasks that may be required from time to time.
Brings an ability and desire to think differently and creatively.
A drive to understand the “why” and adjust the “how” accommodate shifts in business strategy, decisions on approach, and competing business interests accordingly.