Senior Counsel, Patent Prosecution
AbbVie
September 02, 2026
Remote friendly (North Chicago, IL)
United States
$160,500 - $305,000 USD yearly
Corporate Functions
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 IP-related matters.
- Draft, file, and prosecute strategically useful patent applications worldwide, 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 from an accredited law school; state bar admission enabling in-house practice (specific state not required); registration to practice before the USPTO.
- 5+ 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.
- Technical background relevant to pharmaceutical patent prosecution, such as:
- Experience with small molecule and/or biological pharmaceutical discovery & development, and/or
- Technical degree in relevant field (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 and meet deadlines.
Benefits (if stated):
- Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick); medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k) to eligible employees.
- Eligible to participate in long-term incentive programs.
- 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 IP-related matters.
- Draft, file, and prosecute strategically useful patent applications worldwide, 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 from an accredited law school; state bar admission enabling in-house practice (specific state not required); registration to practice before the USPTO.
- 5+ 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.
- Technical background relevant to pharmaceutical patent prosecution, such as:
- Experience with small molecule and/or biological pharmaceutical discovery & development, and/or
- Technical degree in relevant field (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 and meet deadlines.
Benefits (if stated):
- Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick); medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k) to eligible employees.
- Eligible to participate in long-term incentive programs.