Senior Manager, Legal General

Whirlpool, Inc.; Benton Harbor (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discount

Fitness reimbursement

Educational reimbursement

Kitchenettes

Job summary

Whirlpool Corporation in Benton Harbor, MI, seeks a Senior Manager-Level Patent Counsel to lead intellectual property strategy and protection for current and future innovations. The role reports to the Legal Director, Patents & Intellectual Property Litigation, and drives the patent function across Whirlpool’s business units.

The ideal candidate has a JD, active US Bar admission, and 8+ years in IP including patents and monetization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and JD from an accredited law school.
• Active Bar admission in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 8+ years of legal experience as a licensed attorney specializing in IP, including patent/trade secret matters.

Responsibilities

• Develop IP protection strategies for Whirlpool’s innovations.
• Manage filing, prosecution, and maintenance of the global patent portfolio.
• Negotiate IP-related contracts including M&A, confidentiality, licenses.
• Pursue enforcement and monetization opportunities for IP assets.
• Establish product clearance plans and assess freedom-to-operate risks.
• Provide IP guidance and training to engineering and business teams.
• Improve patent-law processes within the law department.

Skills

Patent strategy

IP management

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

About Whirlpool Corporation Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2025, the company reported approximately $16 billion in annual net sales - close to 90% of which were in the Americas - 41,000 employees, and 35 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

This role in summary

Whirlpool is currently looking for a quailified candidate for the role of Senior Manager-Level Patent Counsel. This role will be based in Benton Harbor, MI.

This position will be responsible for implementing the legal strategy and providing legal advice to ensure that Whirlpool’s current and future innovations are protected. This position reports through the law department to the Legal Director, Patents & Intellectual Property Litigation. At Whirlpool, the Patent Counsel role is expected to bring leadership and expertise in the area of patents, trade secrets, and innovation protection to Whirlpool’s business units, the law department, and in administrative and judicial proceedings. You will help ensure Whirlpool’s unique and compelling innovations are a core driver of Whirlpool’s success in product leadership and improving life at home.

Your responsibilities will include

• Developing and executing intellectual property protection strategies related to assigned Whirlpool innovation and technology areas.
• Advising on patent strategy, and managing the filing, prosecution, and maintenance of Whirlpool’s global patent portfolio
• Negotiating intellectual property-related contracts, including M&A, confidentiality, development, and license agreements, and assisting in negotiation of more general commercial agreements, including procurement and service agreements
• Investigating and pursuing opportunities to enforce Whirlpool’s intellectual property and monetize its intellectual property assets
• Establishing product clearance plans and reviewing and advising on freedom-to-operate risks.
• Providing intellectual property advice and training to the engineering and business teams.
• Developing and improving the processes and systems that enable the patent function within the law department to efficiently deliver a sophisticated intellectual property strategy

A Patent Counsel at Whirlpool should be able to:

• Provide thought leadership in advancing Whirlpool’s business strategy through intellectual property
• Drive strategic legal projects forward, including building relationships and inspiring cross-functional collaboration
• Design and implement efficient and effective processes for meeting the business’s need for legal strategies and support
• Recognize and cut to the core of legal issues and then provide a practical, business-oriented approach to problem solving.
• Be relied upon to effectively and independently manage projects
• Communicate clearly and concisely with technical and non-technical audiences, both in writing and verbally

Minimum requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• Active Bar admission in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
• 8+ years of legal experience as a licensed attorney specializing in Intellectual Property, including Patent or trade secret litigation, IP transactions and patent monetization, Global patent portfolio strategy and management

Preferred skills and experiences

• Ability to prioritize and manage a large volume of concurrent projects
• Strong analytical, organization, communication, and project management skills
• Preferably admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

What we offer

Generous benefits package, Whirlpool employee discount, fitness & educational reimbursement programs, kitchenettes, and more! Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations: Beautiful, recently renovated office space, free coffee, biking/walking trails, and access to The Eddy - Early Childhood Center (depending upon availability - additional costs required).

Additional information

Our goal is to provide an environment that helps you bring your best to Whirlpool every day. We offer flexibility and industry-leading time-off benefits that will help you balance what’s important at work and at home, including:

• Always On Flexibility - You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments as needed.
• Two-Week Work from Anywhere - Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.
• Sabbatical - Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.

Whirlpool Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.