Senior Counsel - Intellectual Property & Strategy

AbbVie Inc; Irvine; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company is seeking a Senior Counsel for its Patent Prosecution group in Irvine, UK. This role involves developing intellectual property strategies and providing legal counsel to R&D teams. A JD and significant patent law experience are required, with a strong focus on pharmaceutical and biotech fields. The position supports a hybrid work model.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time off

Incentive programs

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience practicing patent law as an attorney or patent agent.
• Technical background relevant for pharmaceutical patent prosecution.
• Medical device experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Maximize competitive position through IP strategies.
• Provide legal advice and counsel to cross-functional teams.
• Draft, file, and prosecute patent applications worldwide.
• Challenge and defend patents in various proceedings.
• Conduct prior art searches and due diligence.

Skills

Patent law

Legal advice

Analytical skills

Communication

Collaboration

Education

JD degree from an accredited law school

Registration to practice before the USPTO

Job description

Company Description

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people’s lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

Job Description

AbbVie is searching for an in‑house Senior Counsel for our Patent Prosecution group, part of AbbVie’s Intellectual Property, Transactions, and Innovation legal team. Acting individually and in cross‑functional teams, the in‑house Counsel will develop and implement intellectual property strategies for AbbVie’s products and product candidates. This position will support AbbVie’s pharmaceutical products and be based in our offices in Irvine, CA, South San Francisco, CA, North Chicago, IL, or Waltham, MA with a hybrid work model (onsite 3+ days/week).

Responsibilities

• Maximize AbbVie’s competitive position through creation and implementation of intellectual property strategies
• Provide legal advice and counsel to cross‑functional R&D and business teams on a variety of IP‑related matters
• Draft, file, and prosecute strategically useful patent applications worldwide both directly and through management of outside counsel
• Challenge and defend patents in IPR, opposition, interference, and other post‑grant proceedings
• Conduct prior art searches, analyze third‑party patent positions, and conduct due diligence to support business development activities

Qualifications

• JD degree from an accredited law school, state bar admission enabling in‑house practice (specific state not required), and registration to practice before the USPTO
• 5+ years of experience practicing patent law as an attorney or patent agent at a law firm and/or life sciences company, including substantial U.S. and foreign patent prosecution
  • Experience with India, China, and emerging markets a plus
• Technical background relevant for pharmaceutical patent prosecution, such as:
  • Experience with small molecule and/or biological pharmaceutical discovery & development, and/or
  • Technical degree in relevant field, such as molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or biomedical engineering
• Medical device experience a plus
• Strong legal, analytical, communication, collaboration, and people skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects to meet deadlines

Additional Information

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
• This job is eligible to participate in our short‑term incentive programs.
• This job is eligible to participate in our long‑term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html