Senior Counsel - Intellectual Property

Global Payments; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Payments is seeking a Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property to join our Legal team and drive patent prosecution and IP strategy on a global scale.

You will collaborate with engineering and product teams, manage outside counsel, and advise on licensing, SaaS agreements, and strategic partnerships. Must have 8+ years in patent prosecution and USPTO admission, with a J.D. from an ABA-accredited school, and experience in tech, payments, or SaaS industries.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar.
• Admission to practice before the USPTO.
• 8+ years of experience in patent prosecution and IP counseling, including law firm and/or in-house experience.
• Experience managing outside patent counsel and global IP portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage global patent prosecution strategies aligned with technology and product roadmap.
• Oversee preparation, filing, and prosecution of U.S. and international patent applications.
• Manage outside patent counsel and external service providers.
• Partner with engineering and product teams to evaluate invention disclosures and advise on patent strategy.
• Draft, review, and negotiate IP-related commercial agreements, including licenses, SaaS, development and collaboration agreements, and partnerships.
• Advise on IP ownership, licensing structures, and risk allocation.
• Support IP aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and strategic investments.
• Provide practical IP counseling to engineering, product, and business teams.
• Support IP enforcement, disputes, and coordination with litigation counsel.

Skills

Patent prosecution

IP counseling

Legal judgment

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Job Description

Ready to take your career global?

Make your mark at one of the biggest names in payments. We're looking for a Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property to join our ever evolving Legal team and help shape the future of global commerce.

What you’ll own:

This role will play a critical part in supporting the company’s innovation and technology strategy, with a primary focus on patent prosecution and intellectual-property-driven commercial transactions. The successful candidate will combine deep technical and IP experience with strong business judgment and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, global technology environment. This position is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy and to serve as a subject‑matter expert on patent and IP issues within the company. The position offers a senior attorney the rare opportunity to lead innovation strategy while also maintaining high visibility with senior leaders.

Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Strategy

• Develop and manage global patent prosecution strategies aligned with Global Payments' technology and product roadmap.
• Oversee preparation, filing, and prosecution of U.S. and international patent applications.
• Manage outside patent counsel and external service providers.
• Partner with engineering and product teams to evaluate invention disclosures and advise on patent strategy.

Intellectual Property Commercial Matters

• Draft, review, and negotiate IP-related commercial agreements, including technology licenses, SaaS agreements, development and collaboration agreements, and strategic partnerships.
• Advise internal stakeholders on IP ownership, licensing structures, and risk allocation.
• Support IP-related aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and strategic investments.

Counseling & Collaboration

• Provide practical IP counseling to engineering, product, and business teams.
• Support IP enforcement, disputes, and coordination with litigation counsel as needed.
• Contribute to broader legal department initiatives and process improvements.

What you bring:

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar.
• Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• 8+ years of experience in patent prosecution and IP counseling, including law firm and/or in-house experience.
• Experience managing outside patent counsel and global IP portfolios.

Its a bonus if you have:

• Technical background in software, computer science, or electrical engineering.
• Experience in technology, payments, financial services, or SaaS industries.
• Experience with international IP strategy and cross-border transactions.

About the team

Our inclusive and global teams win together every day. We're proud to have the best minds in the industry, who you can learn from as you grow your career. The people, the energy, the connections - it's unmatched. Come and be part of an ever-evolving company and get dynamic opportunities that go beyond borders.

What makes a Globalpayer?

Globalpayers think like a client, act like an owner and win as one team. We're curious and innovative -always finding better ways to deliver impact. We empower each other to make decisions, and it's our passion that drives excellence in everything we set out to do.

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Global Payments is dedicated to offering individuals rewarding career opportunities and competitive compensation. For this full-time position, the good faith estimated annual salary range upon hire is $0.0-$0.00. This range reflects what we reasonably expect to offer based on the role’s responsibilities, level, and geographic location. The actual starting salary will be determined by a candidate’s experience, job-related skills, and relevant education or training. Please note that changes in work location may impact the final offered salary. We encourage you to consult with your recruiter to confirm the budget for your location and to better understand the applicable pay scale. This position is eligible for bonus. Candidates and applicants are advised they may redact age information from requested items like transcripts, resumes, and certificates attached to your application for positions that can be performed in Colorado.

Global Payments is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, genetic information, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics. The EEO is the Law poster is available here.

If you are made a conditional offer of employment and will be working in the United States, you will be required to undergo a drug test. In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies and requirements needed to successfully perform the position. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for individuals with qualified disabilities both during the hiring process, as well as to allow the individual to perform the essential functions of the job, if hired.

Washington Candidates: Click here for information on the Fair Chance Act.