Sr. Intellectual Property (“IP”) Counsel

Duties/Responsibilities

• Global IP Strategy & Portfolio Development: 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.
• Legal Advisory & Risk Management: 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.
• Transactions & Business Support: Advise on and negotiate agreements supporting business goals, including licensing, collaborations, consulting, research, vendor, and manufacturing contracts.
• Patent Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Collaborate with Intellia’s litigation attorneys to manage and defend Intellia’s IP in proceedings such as PTAB challenges, oppositions, and other global forums.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration: 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.
• Training & Oversight: Provide IP training and education to employees to foster awareness and compliance. Manage outside counsel to ensure cost-effective, high-quality legal representation.
• Additional Duties: Support other legal matters and projects as needed to advance company priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

Skills/Abilities

• Technical Expertise: 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.
• Strategic Leadership: Ability to set IP strategy, influence business decisions, and manage complex legal/business risks.
• Collaboration & Communication: 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).
• Execution & Agility: 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.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Demonstrated ability to lead teams, mentor junior staff, and manage outside counsel effectively. Supervisory experience with a focus on fostering collaboration and accountability.

Preferred Attributes: Experience in PTAB proceedings, oppositions, or other IP litigation. Familiarity with CRISPR-Cas9, gene editing, or therapeutic development.

Education / Certifications Required: 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.

Strongly Preferred: 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: 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. Experience negotiating, drafting, and interpreting license agreements preferred but not required.

Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Ability to be onsite in Cambridge periodically. Ability to travel periodically for legal proceedings or other projects, as needed.