Senior Counsel, Transactions,
AbbVie
August 14, 2026
Remote friendly (North Chicago, IL)
United States
$160,500 - $305,000 USD yearly
Corporate Functions
Senior Counsel, Transactions responsibilities and qualifications:
Responsibilities:
- Identify and resolve highly complex legal issues and draft/negotiate highly complex corporate transactions.
- Manage M&A and pharmaceutical licensing and collaboration/joint venture transactions.
- Stay current on laws affecting pharmaceutical licensing, M&A (including antitrust/competition), and other corporate/IP matters.
- Independently negotiate sophisticated, highly individualized agreements with third parties on strategically important matters.
- Conduct due diligence; independently interpret complex existing agreements; advise on complex transaction-related issues.
- Select and direct outside counsel (define objectives and manage projects).
- Maintain compliance with applicable corporate and divisional policies/procedures.
- Analyze and communicate legal advice to maximize outcomes for patients and AbbVie on strategic agreements (licenses, collaborations, alliances).
- Assess and counsel on antitrust/competition risks and competition filings in multiple jurisdictions.
- Provide clear advice to clients (including management) to maximize pipeline potential.
- Exercise judgment on when to elevate issues to senior attorneys/management.
- Assist senior legal staff on matters of significant importance to AbbVie.
- Serve as a recognized source of innovative ideas in complex legal/business/technology areas.
- Provide legal guidance, supervision, and support to paralegals and legal support staff.
Qualifications:
- Required: J.D. from an accredited law school; active license to practice law in job location.
- Minimum 4 years of legal experience (in-house or healthcare compliance preferred).
- Preferred: Exposure to biopharma/healthcare/life sciences compliance; ability to advise business clients and assess legal risk in real time; autonomy and cross-functional collaboration; strong written/verbal communication translating legal complexity into business clarity.
Benefits:
- Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick); medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k) (eligible employees).
- Eligible for long-term incentive programs.
Responsibilities:
- Identify and resolve highly complex legal issues and draft/negotiate highly complex corporate transactions.
- Manage M&A and pharmaceutical licensing and collaboration/joint venture transactions.
- Stay current on laws affecting pharmaceutical licensing, M&A (including antitrust/competition), and other corporate/IP matters.
- Independently negotiate sophisticated, highly individualized agreements with third parties on strategically important matters.
- Conduct due diligence; independently interpret complex existing agreements; advise on complex transaction-related issues.
- Select and direct outside counsel (define objectives and manage projects).
- Maintain compliance with applicable corporate and divisional policies/procedures.
- Analyze and communicate legal advice to maximize outcomes for patients and AbbVie on strategic agreements (licenses, collaborations, alliances).
- Assess and counsel on antitrust/competition risks and competition filings in multiple jurisdictions.
- Provide clear advice to clients (including management) to maximize pipeline potential.
- Exercise judgment on when to elevate issues to senior attorneys/management.
- Assist senior legal staff on matters of significant importance to AbbVie.
- Serve as a recognized source of innovative ideas in complex legal/business/technology areas.
- Provide legal guidance, supervision, and support to paralegals and legal support staff.
Qualifications:
- Required: J.D. from an accredited law school; active license to practice law in job location.
- Minimum 4 years of legal experience (in-house or healthcare compliance preferred).
- Preferred: Exposure to biopharma/healthcare/life sciences compliance; ability to advise business clients and assess legal risk in real time; autonomy and cross-functional collaboration; strong written/verbal communication translating legal complexity into business clarity.
Benefits:
- Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick); medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k) (eligible employees).
- Eligible for long-term incentive programs.