Arkema, a Global leader in Specialty Materials
Building on its unique set of expertise in materials science, Arkema designs materials to address the ever-growing demand for innovative and sustainable materials, driven by the challenges of new energies, new technologies, the depletion of resources, mobility, and increasing urbanization.
overview
This position is part of the Law Department’s IP team and reports to the Deputy General Counsel – Litigation and IP. The Assistant General Counsel – IP Attorney provides legal guidance and support across all Company matters relating to all areas of IP. This role ensures the organization complies with all confidentiality and IP laws, government regulations, and internal policies, while serving as a trusted advisor to R&D and BU leadership and Company business partners. The position also represents the Company in USPTO matters.
Key Responsibilities
IP Legal Support (85%)
- In a fast-paced environment, requiring wide range of capabilities, this role will function as a key member of the in-house IP attorney team and the overall Arkema law department.
- The position functions at the interface of, and integrates, law, technology and business; it provides strategic and legal support to research management and business management. The position can substantially impact the valuation of research and commercial development projects that are contingent on patentability, license values, and freedom to operate.
- Support and provide legal guidance to multiple business units within Arkema and its subsidiaries.
- Provide legal advice on all IP needs, including: drafting and prosecuting patent applications in multiple technology areas; providing advice to management concerning the development, acquisition, utilization and enforcement of global patent and trademark portfolios; protecting new products and processes; evaluating new products and processes for potential infringement of patents; and ensuring the accurate and timely administration of the global patent and trademark portfolios.
- Provide advice on laws at both the federal and state level.
- Work collaboratively with the global IP team, and independently with business group clients with limited supervision, as primary intellectual property legal advisor to the businesses.
- Draft and negotiate substantially all agreements relating to patents, trademarks, trade secrets, confidentiality/non-disclosure, including, for example:
- Joint development of technology and other collaborative programs;
- IP provisions of commercial agreements in support of the law department’s commercial attorneys;
- Non-disclosure agreements with customers and vendors; and
- University and government collaborations.
- Negotiate IP legal matters on behalf of the company, including with customers, suppliers, third party vendors, and government officials.
- Provide IP-related legal guidance, including for patent infringement and trade secrets issues, to E-Suite, BU leaders, R&D, business personnel and staff groups.
Other Duties (15%)
- Provide legal advice and assistance on acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, financings, restructurings, and other special projects, etc. as needed.
- Provide training to the E-Suite, BU leaders, R&D, business personnel and staff groups on IP related matters.
The candidate
The successful applicant should possess:
- PhD in Chemistry related field (e.g., Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry or Material Science) (required).
- Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited law school (required).
- Minimum 10+ years IP and patent experience, preferably working with and/or for large chemical companies or in the manufacturing industry.
- Primary practice areas: IP, patent, and trade secrets; experience in patent assertion and IP litigation a plus. Both in house and law firm experience preferred.
- Admitted to the Bar of a US State or Commonwealth (preferably PA).
- Registered to practice before the USPTO (required).
Other Competencies:
- Expert knowledge of federal, state and local IP and confidentiality laws and regulations.
- Excellent judgment, communication (verbal and written), and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage sensitive matters with discretion and professionalism.
- Sound judgment and risk assessment.
- Relationship-building and collaboration.
- High integrity and confidentiality.
- Must enjoy fast-paced environment, be able to work independently, and balance numerous projects and technology areas.
- Excellent interpersonal skills dealing with all levels of employees including CEO, CFO, General Counsel, Global Head of IP, VP of R&D, other senior management, support staff, as well as the entire global IP team across regions.
- Ability to achieve results within a highly matrixed environment.
This is a hybrid position (present at Arkema’s Radnor, PA site at least 3 days/week). Travel up to 15%.
