Intellectual Property Counsel
This role develops and executes comprehensive intellectual property strategy across patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret matters for AI-driven companies. The counsel acts as a strategic business partner embedded within product, engineering, and research teams, translating complex technical innovations into forward-looking IP protection that balances competitive differentiation with freedom to operate. They manage the full lifecycle from invention disclosure and patent prosecution to licensing negotiations and copyright risk mitigation, while building scalable IP processes and educating cross-functional teams on IP best practices. What distinguishes this from general corporate counsel is the deep technical fluency required—particularly in AI, machine learning, and emerging technology domains—and the focus on proactive IP harvesting and strategic portfolio development rather than reactive legal defense. These roles typically sit within lean, specialized legal teams at high-growth AI companies where the IP counsel operates with significant autonomy and direct influence over business outcomes.
Skills
What companies are looking for in this role.
Developing and executing intellectual property strategy aligned with business objectives and product roadmaps
Identifying patentable inventions through proactive engagement with technical teams and translating complex technical concepts into patent disclosures
Drafting, prosecuting, and managing patent applications through the examination process and responding to office actions
Conducting freedom-to-operate analyses and assessing intellectual property risks in competitive landscapes
Negotiating and drafting licensing agreements, technology transfer agreements, and other intellectual property-related contracts
Leading intellectual property due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions
Advising on trade secret protection strategies and confidentiality frameworks
Managing trademark registration, enforcement, and maintenance across global markets
Advising on intellectual property issues specific to artificial intelligence, including machine learning models, training data rights, and AI-generated content
Developing and implementing open source governance policies and ensuring compliance with open source licensing requirements
Assessing and mitigating copyright and data licensing risks related to content acquisition and usage
Navigating regulatory compliance and intellectual property considerations for therapeutic and clinical development programs
Collaborating cross-functionally with engineering, product, research, and business development teams to embed intellectual property considerations throughout the product development lifecycle
Translating complex technical and scientific concepts into clear legal guidance for non-lawyer stakeholders
Managing outside counsel relationships and supervising external patent prosecution efforts
Developing and delivering training programs on intellectual property, data licensing, and compliance best practices
Monitoring and analyzing intellectual property litigation, regulatory developments, and industry trends to identify emerging risks and opportunities
Building and scaling internal intellectual property teams and processes
Technology
The tools and technologies that define this role.
Open Jobs
5 open Intellectual Property Counsel jobs across 4 companies.
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