Sr. Intellectual Property (“IP”) Counsel

Intellia • Cambridge, MA

9h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. IP Counsel plays a critical role in overseeing and managing certain aspects of the company's legal matters, specifically intellectual property. This position is responsible for providing legal advice on patents, trade secrets, copyrights, and trademarks; developing and executing a global intellectual property strategy in support of Intellia’s gene editing technology and pipeline programs; ensuring compliance with company policies; and managing intellectual property portfolios and proceedings. The ideal candidate has a strong background in patent prosecution, optionally with additional experience in patent litigation, broad knowledge of intellectual property law, effective at communicating at all levels of the organization, the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and wants to be fully integrated into every aspect of the company from research to business execution.

Requirements

• Proven track record in patent preparation, prosecution, and analysis (U.S. and international).
• Experience with IP due diligence, freedom-to-operate (FTO), infringement/validity assessments, and risk mitigation.
• Proficiency in patent searching tools and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to set IP strategy, influence business decisions, and manage complex legal/business risks.
• Excellent verbal/written communication and presentation skills; ability to simplify complex IP concepts for diverse audiences.
• Strong client-service focus with experience working cross-functionally (R&D, business development, legal).
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment; manages multiple priorities and deadlines with flexibility.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and legal drafting skills; creativity in developing pragmatic solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, mentor junior staff, and manage outside counsel effectively.
• Supervisory experience with a focus on fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or LL.M. from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• 8–10+ years of experience practicing patent or intellectual property law, specifically in life sciences, biotechnology, or pharmaceuticals, with a focus on preparation, prosecution, and IP analysis.
• Minimum of 8+ years of experience in intellectual property law, including significant prior legal experience in the pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology fields, with an emphasis on preparation, prosecution, and/or IP strategy and analysis.
• Experience in all aspects of U.S. and foreign intellectual property law relating to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences at a law firm or a biotechnology/pharmaceutical corporation.
• Demonstrated leadership, management, and interpersonal skills, and creativity in applying analytical frameworks and solutions to issues.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in PTAB proceedings, oppositions, or other IP litigation.
• Familiarity with CRISPR-Cas9, gene editing, or therapeutic development.
• Advanced scientific degree (Ph.D. or Master’s) in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, immunology, genetics, structural biology, or a related field.
• Equivalent scientific/engineering experience (e.g., industry R&D roles) may substitute for an advanced degree.
• Experience negotiating, drafting, and interpreting license agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and management of a worldwide IP portfolio, with a focus on CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering, therapeutic applications, and Intellia’s gene editing pipeline.
• Identify patentable inventions through close collaboration with R&D teams; draft, file, and prosecute patent applications globally via internal and external counsel.
• Provide strategic legal advice to scientific, business, and legal teams on IP matters, including patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights.
• Conduct due diligence (landscape, FTO, infringement, validity analyses) and develop risk assessments/mitigation strategies for research, partnerships, and transactions.
• Advise on and negotiate agreements supporting business goals, including licensing, collaborations, consulting, research, vendor, and manufacturing contracts.
• Collaborate with Intellia’s litigation attorneys to manage and defend Intellia’s IP in proceedings such as PTAB challenges, oppositions, and other global forums.
• Interface with internal teams, external collaborators, government agencies, and third parties to align IP strategy with business objectives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate IP considerations into R&D, commercialization, and operational decisions.
• Provide IP training and education to employees to foster awareness and compliance.
• Manage outside counsel to ensure cost-effective, high-quality legal representation.
• Support other legal matters and projects as needed to advance company priorities.
• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains new staff.
• Oversees the daily workflow of the department.
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations.
• Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.

Benefits

• performance-based annual cash bonus
• new hire equity grant
• eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior