Intellectual Property Attorney

Adobe; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 148,600 - 215,200; Full time

Job summary

Adobe is seeking a qualified attorney to lead its IP efforts in San Jose, collaborating with engineers, researchers, product managers, and executives to shape and execute the company’s IP strategy. You will manage outside counsel, oversee licensing, and guide AI-driven IP workflows while educating technical teams on IP risk and strategy.

The role requires a JD, bar admission, and 3–5 years in patent prep/prosecution, licensing, and IP counseling, with strong software and AI/ML knowledge.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and active bar membership required.
• BS degree with strong academic record in computer science or electrical engineering preferred.
• 3–5 years of patent preparation, prosecution, licensing and IP counseling experience.
• Patent bar membership is required.
• Experience in IP pre-litigation or litigation is a plus.
• Strong understanding of software architecture and AI/ML.

Responsibilities

• Manage a world-class patent portfolio and outside counsel to meet quality standards and business goals.
• Develop IP strategies for Adobe’s business and product teams to protect IP areas.
• Educate researchers and engineers on patent and IP issues.
• Counsel internal clients on IP risks and resolution strategies.
• Negotiate patent licenses and joint collaboration agreements with companies or universities.
• Advise on open source issues, standards participation, and IP provisions in agreements.
• Evaluate patent demands and licensing assertions from third parties.
• Assess potential patent acquisitions and opportunities to integrate AI tools into IP workflows.

Skills

IP strategy

patent portfolio

negotiation

outside counsel management

AI/ML understanding

educate researchers

project leadership

Education

J.D. degree

BS in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering

Job description

• The opportunity

The candidate will join a tight-knit team leading Adobe’s IP effort. You'll partner with engineers, researchers, product managers, and executives to devise and implement the company's IP strategy. You'll also partner with other legal teams on licensing, standardization, pre-litigation disputes, negotiations, and transactional deals. Finally, you'll manage outside counsel to ensure we have the highest quality of patent portfolio. Our passion will be your passion as we strive to champion Adobe’s technologies.

• What you’ll do
• Manage a world-class patent portfolio and outside counsel to ensure work meets our quality standards and our business goals
• Develop IP strategies for business and product teams at Adobe to secure and protect IP in those areas
• Educate and train researchers and engineers on patent and other IP issues
• Counsel internal clients on IP risks and resolution strategies
• Negotiate patent licenses and joint collaboration agreements with companies or universities
• Advise on open source issues, Adobe's participation in standards development, and IP-related provisions in agreements, including partnership agreements and technology licenses
• Evaluate and negotiate patent demands and licensing assertions from third parties
• Evaluate potential patent acquisitions
• Identify and champion opportunities to incorporate AI tools into IP workflows
• What you need to succeed
• A “Yes Starts Here” attitude – we help Adobe teams find solutions
• Strong ability to lead projects from A to Z – there are no challenges too big or too small
• The applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, and be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction). BS degree with a strong academic record (computer science or electrical engineering strongly preferred)
• Patent bar membership
• 3-5 years of related work experience, specifically in patent preparation and prosecution, patent licensing, and IP counseling. Experience in handling IP pre-litigation or litigation matters is a plus
• Excellent understanding of software architecture and artificial intelligence/machine-learning
• Experience with business strategy, third-party issues, and standards is a plus
• Strong interpersonal skills and dedication to a team environment
• Demonstrated passion for the law and technology
• An open mind to dive into all types of issues

About Adobe

Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe’s industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.

Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We’re on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours.

Let’s Adobe together

At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create.

Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Learn more.

Adobe aims to make our Careers website and recruiting process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email [e-mail] or call [phone].

AI Use Guidelines for Interviews

Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.

At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI — and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it’s restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.

Expected Pay Range

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this positionis $114,600 -- $215,200 annually. Paywithin this range varies by work locationand may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills,and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process.

In California, the pay range for this position is $148,600 - $215,200

At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).

In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.

State-Specific Notices

California

Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances.

Colorado

Application Window Notice

Jul 24 2026 12:00 AM

If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Legal Notice

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.