Senior Legal Counsel (Patent)

Were a leader in the pet care industry, which means were not only ahead in volume, profit and market share, but our associates dare to Stand Taller. We innovate new products, impart new agilities into existing processes, constantly advance pet nutrition, and always pay it forward in the form of service for our communities and families. Are you up for the dare?

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Position Summary

At Nestl Purina we believe that pets and people are better together. The best of Legal professionals think ahead of the business needs. Youre proactiveregularly lending a hand to what we need before we need it, while keeping the organization compliant with standards and practices. You know all the ins and outsmany of the details most of us will never know. Nestl Purina is a place where youll surround yourself with teams and projects that are making history in pet care. Were leaning on you for those details that make an immeasurable difference in every area of what we do .

As a member of a dynamic world-wide team, youll be responsible for providing legal counsel and expertise in intellectual property matters, with a primary focus on patents. Youll provide general legal advice to the global PetCare business in technical IP matters. With your expertise, youll ensure that this advice is aligned with the legal strategy developed by the PetCare Global Strategic Business Unit (GSBU), Nestl General Counsel R&D, and the Nestl Purina Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel. Additionally, youll guarantee that the Nestl Global IP policies and guidelines are consistently applied.

• Conduct comprehensive patent searches and analyses to identify existing patents, prior art, and potential patentability of inventions developed by the R&D team
• Collaborate with inventors, engineers, and scientists to understand the technical aspects of inventions and translate them into patent applications\
• Draft high-quality patent applications, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and best practices for both foreign and domestic filings
• Prepare responses to office actions, including conducting legal and technical research, analyzing patent examiner's objections, and formulating persuasive arguments to overcome rejections
• Manage the patent prosecution process, including filing, tracking, and maintaining patent applications and related documents
• Conduct patent portfolio analysis and provide strategic guidance on patent filing, maintenance, and enforcement
• Prepare opinions, including patentability, invalidity, and freedom-to-operate,
• Collaborate with external patent counsel, to ensure effective management of the patent portfolio
• Stay updated with the latest developments in patent law, regulations, and industry trends to provide proactive advice and guidance to the R&D team
• Provide support for partnerships including IP review, drafting, and negotiating of R&D contracts
• Conduct patent infringement analyses and provide support in patent litigation matters
• Assist in the evaluation of potential acquisitions or partnerships by conducting due diligence on intellectual property assets

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
• Active bar admission in good standing in the United States
• Admission to the USPTO
• 7+ years of professional legal experience with 3+ of those years dedicated to practicing patent law with a focus on R&D or technology-driven industries

Other

• Experience in engineering and/or digital technologies is preferred

The approximate pay range for this position is $160,000.00 to $238,000.00. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as geographic location. Nestl offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k with company match, healthcare coverage and a broad range of other benefits. Incentives and/or benefit packages may vary depending on the position. Learn more at About Us | Making an Impact | Nestle Careers (nestlejobs.com)

REQUISITION ID:

290848

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestl. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestl seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where youll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestl home.

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