Intellectual Property Counsel

3M; Maplewood (MN); On-site; USD 188,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

3M seeks an Intellectual Property Counsel to join our on-site team in Maplewood, MN. You will prepare patent applications, prosecute globally, and support IP disputes, while collaborating with business clients and international colleagues.

You will interact with outside counsel and lead IP transactions of significant impact, handling complex litigation strategies and delivering pragmatic IP advice within a multinational environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher required, verified prior to start.
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Three years of IP experience in private, public, government or military environment.
• US state bar in good standing.
• Registered to Practice before the USPTO.

Responsibilities

• Prepare patent applications and prosecute patents globally.
• Handle opposition, IPR, and litigation-related support activities in IP disputes.
• Interact with business clients, outside counsel, and international colleagues.
• Provide IP services in dispute management, transaction services, compliance, and advice.
• Lead IP transactions of significant impact and complexity.
• Manage IP litigation and other dispute resolutions for significant matters.

Skills

US state bar

USPTO registration

Patent drafting

IP litigation experience

Contract negotiation

Executive communication

Strategic advisory

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Juris Doctorate degree

Job description

Job Description:

Job Title: Intellectual Property Counsel

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

As an Intellectual Property Counsel, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Prepare patent applications and prosecute patents globally
• Handle opposition, IPR, and litigation-related support activities in IP disputes
• Act as direct contact for and interact with business clients, outside counsel, and international colleagues
• Provide IP services in the areas of dispute management, transaction services, compliance, and advice.
• Work independently on matters of significant complexity and importance.
• Provide legal services to large, complex businesses.
• Lead transactional processes for IP transactions of significant impact and/or complexity.
• Manage IP litigation and other forms of dispute resolution for significant matters and formulate strategies for dispute resolution.
• Are a subject matter expert in some areas of IP law and have responsibilities beyond a single business unit or country.
• Handle other duties as assigned

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher (completed and verified prior to start)
• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school
• Three (3) years of law firm and/or in-house IP experience in a private, public, government or military environment
• Member of a United States state bar in good standing
• Registered to Practice before the USPTO

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Five (5) years of law firm and/or in-house IP experience in a private, public, government or military environment

• Substantial experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications globally
• Experience involving IP litigation and other patent disputes
• Admitted to practice in Minnesota or eligible for admission within six months of employment
• Strong academic credentials
• Business acumen and an ability to provide legal advice in the context of strategic business initiatives and goals
• Highly effective written and verbal communications skills, with an ability to communicate and relate at all levels of the organization including business line leaders, regional heads and senior management
• Results-orientated approach; personal and organizational accountability; and a collegial work style
• High energy and responsive client service

Work location:

This role follows an on-site working model, requiring the employee to work at least four days a week at the 3M Center in Maplewood, MN.

Travel: May include up to 10% domestic/international Relocation Assistance: May be Authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Responsibilities of this position may include direct and/or indirect physical or logical access to information, systems, technologies subjected to the regulations/compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws.

U.S. Export Control laws and U.S. Government Department of Defense contracts and sub-contracts impose certain restrictions on companies and their ability to share export-controlled and other technology and services with certain "non-U.S. persons" (persons who are not U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., refugees, "Temporary Residents" (granted Amnesty or Special Agricultural Worker provisions), or persons granted asylum.

To comply with these laws, 3M must help assess candidates' U.S. person status.

The questions asked in this application are intended to assess this and will be used for evaluation purposes only. Failure to provide the necessary information in this regard will result in our inability to consider you further for this particular position.

Supporting Your Well-being

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.

Chat with Max

For assistance with searching through our current job openings or for more information about all things 3M, visit Max, our virtual recruiting assistant on 3M.com/careers.

Applicable to US Applicants Only: The expected compensation range for this position is $188,251 - $230,084, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Good Faith Posting Date Range 10/08/2026 To 11/07/2026 Or until filledAll US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3m.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties. Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.