General Counsel

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the company's legal strategy related to patent pool formation and execution, aligning it with the overall business objectives.
• Provide legal guidance to the executive team on matters related to patent pools, including patent pool agreements among licensors and patent licensing agreements.
• Stay up to date with relevant laws, regulations, and industry practices impacting patent pools and advise the company on any required actions or modifications to business practices.
• Lead and oversee the negotiation, drafting, and review of patent pool agreements and related patent license agreements, ensuring they align with the company's interests and comply with applicable laws and regulations.
• Provide legal advice on licensing terms, royalty structures, and other contractual provisions to optimize the successful operation of various patent pools.
• Manage the team responsible for the contract lifecycle, including tracking obligations, renewals, and amendments, and ensure compliance with contractual terms by all parties.
• Manage the team responsible for patent submissions and evaluations for inclusion in various patent pools and oversee implementation of royalty allocation rules.
• Design license compliance strategy with internal and external audit and legal resources.
• Integrate Via’s technical and business information to identify and select potential licensee audits.
• Oversee audit process and settlement negotiations.
• Identify unwilling licensees and collaborate with licensors to facilitate engagement leading to the execution of a pool license agreement.
• Collaborate with licensors to develop patent enforcement strategies in jurisdictions throughout the world.
• Manage patent enforcement activities in collaboration with patent pool licensors and affiliates.

Qualifications And Skills

• Degree from an accredited law school, along with active bar membership.
• Substantial experience (typically 10+ years) as an attorney, with a focus on intellectual property law, licensing, and contract negotiation.
• In-depth knowledge of patent law, licensing agreements, and related legal frameworks.
• Strong negotiation and drafting skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Proven ability to provide strategic legal advice and guidance to senior executives.
• Experience in managing and coordinating litigation related to patent licensing is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment, multitask, and prioritize effectively.