Patent Counsel

Larson Maddox; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Larson Maddox is assisting a global technology-driven organization in hiring a Patent Counsel. You will shape and manage a strategic global patent portfolio, partnering with innovators and product teams to identify protectable technologies and advise on IP risk to support business objectives.

You will leverage AI-enabled tools to enhance invention harvesting, prior art analysis, and portfolio analytics while coordinating with engineering and cross-functional teams across the enterprise.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• Registration to practice before the USPTO.
• 3+ years of patent law experience, gained either in-house or at a law firm.
• Demonstrated experience with patent preparation, prosecution, and portfolio management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a global patent portfolio aligned with business strategy and commercial priorities.
• Oversee and collaborate with outside patent counsel on patent preparation, prosecution, and portfolio maintenance activities.
• Partner with engineering, product, and cross-functional teams to identify inventions, assess patentability, and develop protection strategies.
• Provide practical, business-oriented advice on intellectual property matters, balancing legal risk with operational and commercial considerations.
• Evaluate invention disclosures and portfolio assets to determine filing strategy, timing, scope, and alternative forms of IP protection.
• Advise stakeholders on IP risks, opportunities, and competitive positioning related to products, technologies, and future roadmaps.
• Utilize AI-driven and technology-enabled tools to support invention harvesting, prior art analysis, portfolio analytics, and workflow optimization.
• Monitor emerging technologies and industry developments that may impact intellectual property strategy.

Skills

Patent law

Legal communication

Portfolio management

Education

J.D.

Engineering degree

Tools

USPTO registration

Job description

Our client, a global technology-driven organization, is seeking a Patent Counsel to join its growing IP team. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping and managing a strategic patent portfolio while serving as a trusted advisor on IP matters. This individual will work directly with innovators and product teams to identify protectable technologies, evaluate IP risk, and support business objectives through practical and commercially focused legal guidance. The role also offers the opportunity to leverage emerging AI-enabled tools to enhance patent development, portfolio management, and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a global patent portfolio aligned with business strategy and commercial priorities.
• Oversee and collaborate with outside patent counsel on patent preparation, prosecution, and portfolio maintenance activities.
• Partner with engineering, product, and cross-functional teams to identify inventions, assess patentability, and develop protection strategies.
• Provide practical, business-oriented advice on intellectual property matters, balancing legal risk with operational and commercial considerations.
• Evaluate invention disclosures and portfolio assets to determine filing strategy, timing, scope, and alternative forms of IP protection.
• Advise stakeholders on IP risks, opportunities, and competitive positioning related to products, technologies, and future roadmaps.
• Utilize AI-driven and technology-enabled tools to support invention harvesting, prior art analysis, portfolio analytics, and workflow optimization.
• Monitor emerging technologies and industry developments that may impact intellectual property strategy.

Qualifications

Required

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• 3+ years of patent law experience, gained either in-house or at a law firm.
• Demonstrated experience with patent preparation, prosecution, and portfolio management.
• Strong ability to communicate complex legal concepts to technical and non-legal audiences.

Preferred

• Prior engineering or technical industry experience.
• Experience supporting technology products, software platforms, AI-enabled solutions, hardware systems, or related innovations.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted intellectual property or legal technology tools.
• Experience managing outside counsel and coordinating global patent strategies.