Staff Counsel - Intellectual Property

E. & J. Gallo Winery•Modesto, CA

4h•Hybrid

About The Position

Step into a dynamic role where you’ll partner closely with senior legal counsel, cross-functional business teams, and the Intellectual Property (IP) team to protect and elevate our portfolio. As Staff Counsel—IP, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping brand strategy by guiding trademark clearance, enforcement actions, and risk mitigation efforts that directly impact product innovation and market presence. In this role, you’ll review and advise on product concepts, packaging, marketing, and advertising initiatives, ensuring compliance while enabling creativity. You’ll draft and negotiate a broad range of IP-related agreements, from licenses to coexistence arrangements, and collaborate with outside counsel to strategically manage complex legal matters. Your insights will help drive business decisions with clarity and confidence. You’ll also contribute to high-impact corporate transactions, supporting acquisitions and divestitures with IP expertise. As a trusted advisor, you’ll stay ahead of evolving legal trends, develop training programs, and foster strong partnerships across the organization. If you’re energized by a fast-paced environment where legal strategy meets business innovation, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Requirements

A Juris Doctorate plus 4 years of experience in sophisticated law firm in IP-specific legal practice.
At least 3 years of performing and advising on trademark searches and enforcement matters.
Contract drafting and negotiation experience, reflecting increasing levels of responsibility.
Required to travel to company offices, sites, and/or meeting locations for onboarding, training, meetings, and events for development, department needs, and business delivery up to 5% of the time, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Required to be 18 years or older.

Nice To Haves

A Juris Doctorate plus 6 years of experience to include general and IP-specific legal practice.
At least 4 years of experience performing and advising on trademark searches and enforcement matters.
Complex IP-related contract drafting and negotiation experience, reflecting increasing levels of responsibility.
Strong background in drafting and negotiating IP agreements (coexistence, settlement, license, and assignment agreements).
Supporting IP aspects of acquisitions and divestitures.
Experience advising on IP considerations related to packaging, marketing plans, and proposals.
A working knowledge of patent law.
Demonstrated analytical thinking, negotiation skills, business acumen, and ability to influence and build consensus in a fast-paced environment.
Able to effectively organize time in order to meet deadlines.
Skilled at handling multiple projects with a sense of urgency.
Excellent organizational and verbal and written communication skills.
California State Bar member.

Responsibilities

Partner closely with senior legal counsel, cross-functional business teams, and the Intellectual Property (IP) team to protect and elevate our portfolio.
Shape brand strategy by guiding trademark clearance, enforcement actions, and risk mitigation efforts.
Review and advise on product concepts, packaging, marketing, and advertising initiatives, ensuring compliance while enabling creativity.
Draft and negotiate a broad range of IP-related agreements, from licenses to coexistence arrangements.
Collaborate with outside counsel to strategically manage complex legal matters.
Contribute to high-impact corporate transactions, supporting acquisitions and divestitures with IP expertise.
Stay ahead of evolving legal trends.
Develop training programs.
Foster strong partnerships across the organization.