Director, Corporate Counsel - Product and Patents

DICK'S Sporting Goods; Coraopolis (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

DICK'S Sporting Goods seeks a Director, Corporate Counsel – Product & Patents to lead IP clearance and patent strategies for product innovations across the company.

You will conduct freedom-to-operate, patentability, prior-art analyses, draft clearance opinions, manage the patent portfolio, and coordinate outside counsel. The role partners with product, design, engineering, and business teams to translate complex IP issues into actionable business guidance.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to at least one U.S. state bar and in-house eligibility.
• 3–5 years patent/IP experience in law firm or corporate setting.
• Experience drafting patent applications and clearance opinions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct prior-art, freedom-to-operate, patentability, and landscape searches for new and developing products.
• Draft design and utility patent applications and help identify protectable product features.
• Manage patent portfolio, prosecution strategy, deadlines, records, and outside counsel.
• Provide guidance to product, design, engineering, and business teams on IP matters.
• Support patent disputes, demand letters, litigation holds, and NPE matters.
• Develop practical IP frameworks and launch checklists for product teams.
• Partner with Legal teams on IP, Privacy, and Regulatory matters.
• Provide patent landscape and competitive intelligence analysis.

Skills

Patent analysis

Legal research

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Tools

PatSnap

Derwent

Job description

At DICK'S Sporting Goods, we believe in how positively sports can change lives. On our team, everyone plays a critical role in creating confidence and excitement by personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce, reflecting the communities we serve.

Role Responsibilities

The Director, Corporate Counsel – Product & Patents will lead patent and intellectual property clearance activities supporting product innovation across DICK'S Sporting Goods. This attorney will conduct freedom-to-operate, patentability, prior-art, and landscape analyses; draft clearance opinions; manage the company’s patent portfolio; and oversee outside patent counsel.

The role will also provide practical legal guidance to product, design, engineering, technology, and business teams throughout the product lifecycle. The ideal candidate is proactive, highly organized, technically curious, and able to translate complex patent and legal issues into clear, business-focused recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct prior-art, freedom-to-operate, patentability, and landscape searches for new and developing products.
• Analyze third-party patents, assess infringement risks, identify design-around options, and provide clear go or no-go recommendations.
• Draft design and utility patent applications and help identify protectable product features.
• Manage the company’s patent portfolio, prosecution strategy, deadlines, records, and outside patent counsel.
• Support patent disputes, demand letters, litigation holds, early case assessments, and non-practicing entity matters.
• Advise product, engineering, technology, and business teams on product development, launch, and lifecycle matters.
• Provide guidance on intellectual property, AI and machine learning, data governance, privacy, software, and emerging technology issues.
• Develop practical frameworks, launch checklists, and scalable legal guidance for product and technology teams.
• Partner with Legal subject-matter experts to provide aligned advice on IP, Privacy, Commercial, Brand, and Regulatory matters.
• Provide patent landscape and competitive intelligence analysis to inform product development and IP strategy.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission in good standing to at least one U.S. state bar and eligibility for in-house counsel registration in Pennsylvania.
• Three to five years of relevant patent and intellectual property experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, or combination of both.
• Hands-on experience conducting patent searches, freedom-to-operate analyses, and patentability assessments.
• Experience analyzing patent claims, drafting clearance opinions, and translating technical findings into practical business guidance.
• Experience drafting design or utility patent applications and managing outside patent prosecution counsel.
• Technical fluency sufficient to understand patents, product specifications, and engineering materials.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organization, collaboration, and project-management skills.
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience advising product, engineering, or technology teams.
• Familiarity with AI and machine learning, data governance, privacy, software, SaaS, or technology contracting.
• Experience in consumer products, sporting goods, footwear, apparel, or technology.
• Familiarity with patent disputes, litigation holds, demand letters, and non-practicing entity matters.
• Experience bringing routine patent work in-house and managing outside counsel budgets.
• Proficiency with patent-search and analytics platforms such as PatSnap or Derwent.
• USPTO patent bar registration is a plus but not required.
• A science or technical degree is preferred but not required

Qualifications

• Advanced Degree
• JD Degree
• 3-5 years of experience
• Experience practicing law, preferably in a law firm or corporate legal department.

Virtual Requirements

At DICK'S, we thrive on innovation and authenticity. That said, to protect the integrity and security of our hiring process, we ask that candidates do not use AI tools (like ChatGPT or others) during interviews or assessments.

To ensure a smooth and secure experience, please note the following:

• Cameras must be on during all virtual interviews.
• AI tools are not permitted to be used by the candidate during any part of the interview process.
• Offers are contingent upon a satisfactory background check which may include ID verification.

If you have any questions or need accommodations, we're here to help.

Thanks for helping us keep the process fair and secure for everyone!