Senior IP Counsel - Packaging & Specialty Plastics

Dow; Freeport (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Dow seeks a Senior IP Counsel in its Commercial & Innovation Law group, based in Lake Jackson, TX or Midland, MI. You will provide counsel on intellectual property matters for Dow's Packaging & Specialty Plastics business, including patents, trade secrets, licensing, and technology development.

You will build and manage patent portfolios, coordinate with global teams, and supervise external counsel to protect assets and maximize value while supporting business objectives.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor or Master of Laws.
• 4+ years IP law experience, in-house or at a major firm.
• Bar admission in good standing; US work authorization.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical, business‑oriented IP counsel on patents, trade secrets, licensing and IP transactions.
• Review, draft and negotiate technology development agreements and related IP documents.
• Build and manage patent portfolios, coordinate with outside counsel, and align IP strategy with business goals.
• Communicate with Legal leadership and clients; train teams on IP topics.
• Identify IP risks and opportunities, supporting innovation and growth.

Skills

Initiative

Teamwork/Interpersonal Effectiveness

Education

Juris Doctor or LL.M.

US bar admission

B.S. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Job description

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we're passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We're a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you're looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you're in the right place.

Dow has an opening for a Senior IP Counsel in its Commercial & Innovation Law group , located in Lake Jackson, TX or Midland, MI . In this role, you will provide counsel on Intellectual Property topics with emphasis on issues within Dow's Packaging & Specialty Plastics business.

Responsibilities

• Be a simplifier and solver of strategic-level intellectual property challenges for clients in a truly global, science and technology growth-driven company. Provide practical, business-oriented legal counsel on a wide range of intellectual property and innovation matters, including patents, trade secrets, licensing, technology development, and IP-related transactions.
• Review, draft, and negotiate a broad range of legal documents involving intellectual property rights, including technology development agreements, research collaborations, confidentiality agreements, license agreements, joint development agreements, and other commercial arrangements involving intellectual assets.
• Participate in business and functional meetings to proactively identify intellectual property risks and opportunities and develop solutions that enable innovation and business growth.
• Assist business, technology, and research organizations in developing and implementing intellectual property strategies that align with business objectives, support innovation, protect competitive advantages, and maximize the value of the Company's intellectual assets.
• Build and manage patent portfolios aligned with business strategy by drafting and prosecuting patent applications and managing outside counsel in the drafting and prosecution of patent applications.
• Host client legal training and education on a variety of topics, consistent with Legal team developed curriculum and risk mitigation practices supported by leadership.
• Exhibit team orientation, legal technology savviness, courage in the face of ambiguity, and bias toward action. Employ strong negotiation and communication skills (written and oral) and successfully manage time sensitive demands.
• Collaborate effectively within a team of dedicated legal professionals, business and functional clients, as well as non-legal, Company colleagues. Be open to sharing, growth, and learning in a team environment consistent with the goals and principles that guide the Legal department.
• Proactively communicate with Legal team management and clients.
• Effectively place work in the hands of the most appropriate legal resource for handling. Possess a strong bias for trust in, delegation to, and development of paralegals and other support staff to ensure allocation of work remains commensurate with education, experience, and demonstrated abilities.
• Manage outside counsel and other external resources in a manner consistent with Legal department policies, matching resource levels with project importance, affordability and overall risk appetite of the Company.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor or Master of Laws.
• A minimum of 4 years practicing Intellectual Property law either in-house or with a major law firm.
• Admission to State Bar or eligible for admission.
• B.S. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or similar technology.
• Registered to practice before the USPTO.
• A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years' demonstrable competence practicing Intellectual Property law with a major law firm or corporation.
• Prior experience working for a chemical company or representing companies in chemical manufacturing matters.
• Strong law school credentials.

Skills

• Initiative - Must be a self-starter willing to take a strategic perspective to legal challenges, assume a leadership role, and support team endeavors; must possess legal knowledge and skills required to recognize, analyze, and resolve a variety of legal issues; must be able to perform under pressure in a professional and mature manner; must be able to recognize and take appropriate risks; and must be able to meet aggressive client-centric deadlines aimed at enhancing the customer experience.
• Teamwork/Interpersonal Effectiveness - Requires ability to think and act strategically and handle challengi