Director IP Litigation

Merck; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. is seeking an experienced intellectual property litigation attorney to join its global enforcement and freedom-to-operate team.

The role reports to the Vice President of Global IP Litigation and offers strategic leadership across pre-litigation and high-stakes IP matters. You will lead outside counsel, manage budgets, and collaborate with business units and the Office of General Counsel to align litigation strategy with Merck's global objectives, with some remote flexibility from

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline from an accredited institution.
• J.D. from an accredited law school and bar admission in at least one state or DC.
• 5+ years of legal experience in a firm or pharmaceutical corporate setting, with IP litigation exposure.
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills; ability to manage outside counsel effectively.

Responsibilities

• Set strategy for pre-litigation and litigation and advise senior leadership on high-risk IP matters.
• Lead and manage outside counsel from case inception to closure, including ADR strategies.
• Investigate factual issues pertaining to IP litigation and defend the Company’s IP with business units.
• Perform risk assessments and determine resolution approaches with key stakeholders.
• Establish and manage litigation budgets; minimize costs with outside counsel.
• Collaborate with team, business clients, and Office of General Counsel to align strategy with business goals.

Skills

Legal analysis

Legal writing

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and strategic intellectual property litigation attorney who will be a member of the legal team responsible for global enforcement and freedom-to-operate litigation matters. This is an exciting opportunity to join a talented and proactive litigation group. The position reports to the Vice President of Global Intellectual Property Litigation.

Job Description

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and strategic intellectual property litigation attorney who will be a member of the legal team responsible for global enforcement and freedom-to-operate litigation matters. This is an exciting opportunity to join a talented and proactive litigation group. The position reports to the Vice President of Global Intellectual Property Litigation.

Responsibilities

• Set strategy for, manage, and provide advice to senior leadership and the business on pre-litigation, litigation, and various high-risk IP matters
• Lead and manage outside counsel on intellectual property litigation from case inception through case closure, including establishing case and alternative dispute resolution strategies, providing internal guidance to business and relevant stakeholders and implementing litigation initiatives.
• Investigate factual and other issues pertaining to intellectual property litigation matters, working closely with business units to defend our Company's and its intellectual property.
• Perform risk assessments and determine when and how to resolve legal issues with input, as appropriate, from key legal and other stakeholders.
• Establish and manage litigation budgets that align with interests of the business and maximize likelihood of successful outcome, working creatively with outside counsel to minimize costs and fees.
• Work closely and collaboratively with others on the team, business clients, other members of the Office of General Counsel, and Global Communications to ensure litigation strategy comports with overall business objectives.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline from an accredited institution
• Graduate of an accredited law school
• Five (5) or more years of legal experience in a firm and/or pharmaceutical corporate setting with some pharmaceutical intellectual property litigation experience.
• Member in good standing of a Bar of at least one state or the District of Columbia.
• Superior ability to analyze complex legal, business, and scientific issues; outstanding writing and communication skills; strong initiative and a proven ability to manage outside counsel effectively and efficiently, consistent with applicable budgets.
• Experience managing a significant workload with the ability to balance competing priorities in a fast-paced and challenging environment, including as needed domestic and international travel.
• Willingness and ability to quickly become proficient in new areas of legal practice.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate risks and exercise excellent legal judgment.
• Must be team-oriented and have a solution-oriented approach to legal issues.
• Maintain up-to-date understanding of intellectual property litigation and the law applicable to the same and proactively counsel the business on legal developments potentially effecting the Company’s legal and reputational status.
• Successful candidate will work in the Company’s Rahway, NJ office, with flexibility for some remote working.

Preferred Experience

• Advanced degree in the biological or chemical sciences
• Registered to practice before the USPTO

Required Skills

Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Legal Analysis, Legal Research, Legal Support, Legal Systems, Litigation Management, Litigation Strategy, Litigation Support, Trademark Law

US And Puerto Rico Residents Only

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.

Requirements

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
EEOC Know Your Rights
EEOC GINA Supplement
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Additional location(s):

Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

Domestic/International

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

Job Posting End Date

11/1/2026

• A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

OGC2026