Associate General Counsel, Patent Prosecution

Role Summary

The Associate General Counsel, Patent Prosecution is an in-house role within AbbVie's Intellectual Property, Transactions, and Innovation legal team. The position supports AbbVie’s pharmaceutical products and product candidates by developing and implementing intellectual property strategies. The role is based in North Chicago, IL, Waltham, MA, South San Francisco, CA, or Irvine, CA with a hybrid work model (onsite 3+ days/week). The attorney will work both independently and with cross-functional teams to protect AbbVie's IP portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Maximize AbbVie’s competitive position through creation and implementation of intellectual property strategies
• Provide legal advice and counsel to cross-functional R&D and business teams on a variety of IP-related matters
• Draft, file, and prosecute strategically useful patent applications worldwide both directly and through management of outside counsel
• Challenge and defend patents in IPR, opposition, interference, and other post-grant proceedings
• Conduct prior art searches, analyze third-party patent positions, and conduct due diligence to support business development activities

Qualifications

• JD degree from an accredited law school, state bar admission enabling in-house practice (specific state not required), and registration to practice before the USPTO
• 8+ years of experience practicing patent law as an attorney or patent agent at a law firm and/or life sciences company, including substantial U.S. and foreign patent prosecution
• Experience with India, China, and emerging markets a plus
• Technical background relevant for pharmaceutical patent prosecution, such as:
  • Experience with small molecule and/or biological pharmaceutical discovery & development
  • Technical degree in relevant field, such as molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or biomedical engineering
• Strong legal, analytical, communication, collaboration, and people skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects to meet deadlines