IP Legal Counsel
Alcon
Summary
As IP Counsel supporting our Legal and Compliance team, you will be trusted to work on intellectual property matters related to medical devices and manufacturing technologies in our Fort Worth, TX office.
Job description
In this role, a typical day will include:
- Manage invention disclosures, including collecting and screening disclosures, conducting inventor interviews, presenting disclosures at patent committee meetings, and making recommendations
- Prepare, prosecute, and manage a global patent portfolio, including direct preparation and prosecution of patent applications before the USPTO and managing outside counsel in the US and abroad
- Conduct due diligence and freedom-to-operate assessments related to product development, M&A, and licensing activities
- Conduct strategic assessments of competitor products and IP portfolios
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams and counsel a variety of clients on IP and other legal issues
- Draft, negotiate, and review IP-related agreements
- Provide support on IP litigation and administrative patent proceedings, including reexaminations and oppositions
- Conduct internal training on IP issues and processes
- Occasional domestic or foreign travel
What You'll Bring to Alcon:
- Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school+15 yrs. Assoc.+11 yrs.; M.S.+4 yrs.; PhD+3 yrs.)
- The ability to fluently read, write, understand, and communicate in English
- 7 Years of Relevant Experience
Additional Skills and Experience:
- Undergraduate or post-graduate degree in engineering discipline, with strong academic performance
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school, with strong academic performance
- Admission to at least one U.S. state bar and registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
- 4-7 years' experience practicing patent law at a reputable law firm
- Demonstrated ability interact effectively with stakeholders and provide practical, business-oriented legal advice
- Preferably, working knowledge of patent law in international jurisdictions and experience with patent conflicts, including reexaminations, EPO oppositions, and/or patent litigation
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience
- The ability to fluently read, write, understand, and communicate in English
- 7 Years of Relevant Experience
- Undergraduate or post-graduate degree in engineering discipline, with strong academic performance
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school, with strong academic performance
- Admission to at least one U.S. state bar and registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
- 4-7 years' experience practicing patent law at a reputable law firm
- Demonstrated ability interact effectively with stakeholders and provide practical, business-oriented legal advice
- Preferably, working knowledge of patent law in international jurisdictions and experience with patent conflicts, including reexaminations, EPO oppositions, and/or patent litigation
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Retirement plan
- Flexible time off
- PTO for hourly associates
Company overview
Alcon Inc. is the global leader in eye care, dedicated to helping people see brilliantly. Founded in 1945 as a small pharmacy in Fort Worth, Texas, the company has grown into the world's largest eye care device company with complementary businesses in Surgical and Vision Care. As a Swiss-American multinational corporation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland with major operations in Fort Worth, Texas, Alcon operates in 60 countries and serves patients in over 140 countries. The company's Surgical segment focuses on ophthalmic products for cataract surgery, vitreoretinal surgery, refractive laser surgery, and glaucoma surgery, including implantables, consumables, and surgical equipment. The Vision Care segment comprises daily disposable, reusable, and color-enhancing contact lenses, along with a comprehensive portfolio of ocular health products for dry eye, contact lens care, and ocular allergies. With over 75 years of heritage, Alcon has a long history of industry firsts and makes substantial annual investments in research and development to meet evolving customer needs and advance patient care. The company became an independent publicly-traded entity in 2019 after spinning off from Novartis.