Assistant Counsel

Corning Incorporated; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 156,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Corning Incorporated is seeking an experienced patent attorney to advance the company’s IP position across optical connectivity and related technologies. The role involves driving portfolio development, risk assessment, and counseling on NDAs and trade secrets, leveraging AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency and outcomes.

You will partner with R&D and business teams to identify patentable innovations, manage global portfolios, and support licensing, M&A due diligence, and other IP-related

Qualifications

• JD degree and active Bar admission; USPTO registration required.
• Bachelor or advanced degree in Physics/Optics/Engineering/Materials Science or Electrical Engineering preferred.
• 3+ years as a practicing patent attorney with patent prep/prosecution experience; 4+ years IP experience as attorney/agent preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to lead meetings with senior leaders and engineers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage global patent portfolios from disclosure to maintenance, including supervising outside counsel.
• Conduct IP risk assessments for new products and technology strategies; provide opinions on infringement and validity when appropriate.
• Draft, review, and negotiate NDAs and related agreements to support business objectives.
• Collaborate with R&D and business teams to identify patentable innovations and educate stakeholders on IP strategy.
• Support transactional matters including licenses, joint development, and sponsored research; grow into independent IP leadership.

Skills

Communication skills

Independent work

Risk analysis

NDAs & Contracts

Education

JD degree

Physics/Optics/Engineering degree

Tools

Patent tools

Job description

The company built on breakthroughs.
Join us.Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Requisition Number: 78113
The company built on breakthroughs.
Join us.Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible.
How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations– not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward.
At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.
Come break through with us.
Corning’s Businesses Are Ever-evolving To Best Serve Our Customers, Industries, And Consumers. Today, We Accelerate And Transform Life Sciences, Mobile Consumer Electronics, Optical Communications, Display, Automotive, And Solar Markets. We Are Changing The World With

• Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives
• Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected
• Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of light
• Precision glass for advanced displays to deliver richer experiences
• Auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation
• Solar polysilicon, wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, enabling low-cost solar energy solutions

Role Summary

Advance Corning's Intellectual Property position in optical connectivity by delivering high-quality patent portfolio development and management, IP risk assessments, and IP-related counseling on non-disclosure agreements, trade secrets, and related information protection matters, leveraging AI-enabled tools to drive efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement in how IP work is performed.

Key Accountabilities

• Partners with the business to develop and execute IP strategies aligned with commercial and technical objectives, and to conduct IP education and awareness training with different groups within the organization.
• Integrates self with R&D teams to identify and capture patentable innovations.
• Manages global patent portfolios from invention disclosure through patent preparation, prosecution, and maintenance, including supervision of US and foreign outside counsel.
• Performs IP risk assessment studies relating new product plans, technology strategies, and business activities, including delivering legal opinions regarding infringement and validity when appropriate.
• Monitors the competitive IP landscape and collaborates with business teams to identify relevant third-party IP activity and to develop appropriate strategy decisions in response to such third-party IP.
• Reviews, drafts, and negotiates non-disclosure agreements in support of business objectives, and counsels business clients on information protection, disclosure boundaries, and confidentiality obligations.
• Documents and shares best practices, contributing to a culture of continuous workflow improvement.
• Supports patent assertion, challenges, and litigation efforts (as needed).
• Participates in M&A due diligence activities (as needed).
• Supports and contributes to transactional matters, including license, joint-development, sponsored research, material transfer, and other IP-related agreements, with the expectation of growing into a more independent role in this area over time.

Required Education, Skills, And Experience

• JD degree and member in good standing of a state Bar and registered to practice before the USPTO.
• BS and/or advanced degree in Physics, Optics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or Electrical Engineering preferred. Other technical backgrounds that correspond well with optical fiber and/or connectivity-based technologies will be considered.
• 3+ of experience as a practicing patent attorney with patent preparation and prosecution experience in a corporate or law firm setting required; 4+ years of relevant professional IP experience as a patent agent, patent examiner, or attorney preferred.
• Very good written and verbal communication skills; professional maturity and presence to effectively lead meetings and engage confidently with senior leaders, experienced engineers, and business stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple simultaneous projects.
• Experience performing risk analyses related to patent scope, infringement, or validity.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, or negotiating NDAs or similar commercial agreements.
• Preference given to candidates with experience evaluating, implementing, or training others on new workflows or tools in a professional setting.

Preferred Experience

• Demonstrated track record of using patent or research tools including patent searching and/or practical AI usage in a professional context. Preference given to candidates able to show examples of benefits, workflows designed, improved, or executed using one or more of the tools.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship. The range for this position is $156,339.00 - $214,967.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

A job that shapes a life.

Corning offers you the total package.

Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.

• Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
• As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning’s total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.
• Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
• Getting paid for our work is important, but feeling appreciated and recognized for those contributions motivates us much more. That’s why Corning offers a recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions.