Counsel

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide timely, practical legal advice to faculty, researchers, executive leadership, and administrative departments.
• Identify legal risks and recommend practical solutions that align with the Institute's strategic objectives.
• Conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda, opinions, and other legal documents.
• Assist in the interpretation, development, and implementation of institutional policies and procedures.
• Monitor changes in applicable laws and regulations affecting the Institute.
• • Draft, review, negotiate, and administer a broad range of agreements, including:
  • Confidentiality Agreements (NDAs/CDAs)
  • Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs)
  • Sponsored Research Agreements
  • Research Collaboration Agreements
  • Clinical Trial Agreements
  • Data Use Agreements
  • Consulting Agreements
  • Vendor and Professional Services Agreements
  • Software and Technology Agreements
  • Licensing Agreements
  • Affiliation Agreements
  • Statements of Work and contract amendments
• Support internal clients regarding contractual rights, obligations, and legal risk.
• Partner with leadership, faculty and administrative departments to facilitate timely contract review and execution.
• Cover negotiations with collaborators, universities, healthcare organizations, industry partners, sponsors, and vendors.
• Coordinate negotiations with collaborators, universities, healthcare organizations, industry partners, sponsors, and vendors.
• Support continuous improvement of contract review processes.

Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer

• Provide legal advice and support on intellectual property matters, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and related licensing matters.
• Review invention disclosures and advise on intellectual property protection and commercialization strategies.
• Draft, review, and negotiate intellectual property, licensing, technology transfer, and commercialization agreements.
• Support the Institute's intellectual property portfolio, including invention disclosures, technology transfer activities, and compliance with federal requirements governing federally funded research.
• Partner with leadership, faculty, researchers, and external collaborators to support innovation, strategic partnerships, and commercialization initiatives.

Corporate & Regulatory Matters

• Assist with legal compliance related to research, healthcare, nonprofit operations, and applicable federal and state laws.
• Support Board of Directors and governance activities.
• Provide legal support on compliance and operational matters.
• Cover coordination with outside counsel on litigation and specialized legal issues.

Other Responsibilities

• Build collaborative relationships across the Institute while providing responsive, client-focused legal services.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive legal, business, and research information.
• Perform other duties and special projects assigned by the Vice President, Legal.

Requirements

• Education & Experience:
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Undergraduate life science or bioengineering degree is preferred.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• Admission to or eligibility for admission in Massachusetts.
• 2+ years of legal experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, academic institution, healthcare organization, biotechnology company, research institution, or similar environment.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial, research, or technology-related agreements.
• Experience with intellectual property matters, including patents, technology transfer, licensing, research collaborations, or commercialization activities.
• Experience supporting nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, or federally funded research environments is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of contract law and commercial transactions.
• Working knowledge of intellectual property law and technology transfer.
• Strong legal drafting, negotiation, analytical, and legal research skills.
• Ability to identify legal issues and provide practical, solution-oriented advice.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, and discretion.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Salary

108,000 - 145,000 gross annual salary hiring range.