The Dow Chemical Company is a multinational corporation headquartered in Midland, Michigan, United States. The company is among the largest chemical producers in the world. With a presence in about 160 countries, it employs about 37,800 people worldwide. Dow’s ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. Dow’s portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated, science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications.
The Opportunity
Dow has an exciting opportunity for a European Opposition Patent Attorney to join the global IP team. The preferred location for this position is The Netherlands (Terneuzen); however, other Dow locations including Belgium (Seneffe), Germany (e.g., Munich or Wiesbaden), or a virtual office within Central or Western Europe may be considered.
You will be part of a multinational IP team with the responsibility to manage and coordinate European Oppositions (which could account for 80% of your workload). Key responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:
- Consult with and counsel Dow businesses and functions to define European Opposition strategies and control costs;
- Prepare legal opinions and approve outside counsel opinions relating to risks arising from European Oppositions;
- Negotiate and draft technology agreements for opposition settlement purposes;
- Provide counsel and assist in negotiations and litigation to resolve IP disputes with third parties;
- Provide legal counsel to clients;
- Provide client legal training and education on a variety of intellectual property-related topics;
- Review and drafts legal documents;
- Manage outside counsel and other external resources;
- Collaborate with internal legal subject matter experts and other Company resources;
- Direct paralegals and other support staff.
The Candidate
The successful candidate is likely to fulfil the following criteria:
- A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or a related science;
- A minimum of 5 years practicing as a European Patent Attorney with substantial experience of European oppositions, including oral proceedings;
- Registered to practice and in good standing before the European Patent Office;
- Demonstrate qualities of diligence, approachability and confidence in interaction with relevant stakeholders across the business and externally;
- Be an excellent communicator, able to convey information to professionals at all levels and across different business areas;
- Possess good organisational, multi-tasking and negotiation skills, be accurate, flexible and able to work well independently and within a collaborative team;
- Have a proactive, solution-orientated working style, with excellent analytical skills;
- A minimum requirement for this European based position is the ability to work legally in the European Union or the United Kingdom.
