Senior Counsel, Transactions

BioSpace; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 220,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Short-term and long-term incentive programs

Job summary

A global biopharmaceutical company seeks a Senior Counsel, Transactions to join its Business Development and Acquisitions team. The role involves drafting and negotiating transaction agreements and providing legal advice for M&A and pharmaceutical licensing. Candidates must possess a J.D. and have at least 8 years of industry experience. This position offers a competitive salary range of $220,000 to $275,000, along with comprehensive benefits including paid time off and insurance coverage.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant transactional and/or industry experience.
• Must meet professional licensing requirements within two years.
• Experience in advising on complex contractual relationships.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate key transaction agreements.
• Engage in due diligence and interpret complex agreements.
• Select and direct outside counsel for legal projects.

Skills

Negotiating skills

Legal analysis

Judgment

Contractual relationship advisory

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Join to apply for the Senior Counsel, Transactions role at BioSpace.

The Senior Counsel, Transactions, will be an integral part of a team of attorneys advising AbbV’s Business Development and Acquisitions team, along with other key corporate functions.

Company Description

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care, and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at https://www.abbvie.com.

Job Description

As part of AbbV’s Business Development and Acquisitions team, you will draft and negotiate key transaction agreements—including mergers, acquisitions, licenses, collaborations and options—and provide clear legal advice on these matters, anticipating and addressing issues with a cross‑functional client base.

Responsibilities

• Have extensive experience managing M&A and pharmaceutical licensing and collaboration/joint venture transactions.
• Keep abreast of changes in laws affecting pharmaceutical licensing, M&A transactions, antitrust/competition, and other corporate and IP matters.
• Negotiate highly individualized and sophisticated agreements independently with third parties on matters of strategic importance to AbbVie.
• Engage in due diligence and interpret complex agreements, advising on complex transaction situations.
• Select and direct outside counsel, defining project objectives and managing projects.
• Maintain and ensure compliance with applicable corporate and divisional policies and procedures.

Additional Responsibilities

• Analyze and communicate legal advice to maximize patient and company outcomes on complex pharmaceutical licensing and collaboration agreements.
• Assess and counsel on antitrust and competition risks, including competition filings across multiple jurisdictions.
• Provide clear advice to management, ensuring advice maximizes pipeline potential.
• Use good judgment to determine when to elevate issues to senior attorneys and senior management.
• Assist senior legal staff on matters of significant importance affecting AbbV’s substantial business portion.
• Serve as a recognized source of innovative ideas in complex legal, business, or technology areas.
• Provide legal guidance, supervision, and support to paralegals and legal support staff.

Basic Qualifications

• Must possess a J.D. degree.
• 8+ years of relevant transactional and/or industry experience.
• Must meet the professional licensing requirement of the state in which they practice within a two-year time period.
• Advanced negotiating skills and the ability to independently manage complex transactions.
• Excellent legal analysis skills and a crisp, concise communication style.
• Honed judgment with the ability to identify and address critical issues quickly.
• Ability to use legal training to maximize business opportunities.
• Strong sense of urgency and drive for successful business outcomes in all activities.
• Experience in advising on ongoing complex contractual relationships, such as development collaborations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with drafting and negotiating complex pharmaceutical licensing and collaboration transactions.
• Experience in providing legal advice for pharmaceutical research and development.

Compensation and Benefits

• Compensation range: $220,000.00 – $275,000.00 (Deerfield, IL). Other locations are provided without specific ranges.
• Benefits include paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick days), medical/dental/vision insurance, and a 401(k) plan for eligible employees.
• Eligible for short‑term and long‑term incentive programs.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html