Intellectual Property Senior Counsel

Nabors is a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. With operations in about 20 countries, Nabors has established a global network of people, technology and equipment to deploy solutions that deliver safe, efficient and responsible hydrocarbon production. By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors aims to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a lower carbon world.

About the role

The Corporate IP Counsel will combine an engineering background with commercial legal expertise to protect our innovations, negotiate high-value technology contracts, and mitigate global IP risks for a global oil and gas drilling contractor and technology provider whose competitive edge relies heavily on proprietary automation, mechanical systems, and digital downhole technologies.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate global commercial agreements, including technology licenses, joint development agreements, master service agreements (MSAs), and vendor contracts.
• Lead transactional negotiations with oilfield service companies, operators, and technology partners regarding IP allocation and joint ventures through a variety of intellectual property documents including joint development agreements, licenses, confidentiality agreements, and other IP-related agreements.
• Conduct and coordinate research into a variety of intellectual property legal issues, ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and Company policy, anticipate and address legal developments; experience preparing and filing patent prosecution documents on an as-needed basis.
• Partner directly with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams to identify and harvest patentable inventions related to drilling automation, robotics, and equipment.
• Manage outside counsel handling the preparation and prosecution of the company's global patent and trademark portfolios before the USPTO and international offices.
• Conduct freedom-to-operate (FTO), infringement, and validity analyses for new drilling technologies, providing actionable risk-assessment advice to internal stakeholders and executive leadership to appropriately manage risks and exposure to the Company.
• Collaborate with clients throughout the organization, other attorneys, and legal staff.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical engineering preferred).
• Active law license in good standing in the U.S.
• Registered to practice in good standing before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• 5–8 years of dedicated IP law experience, ideally with a mix of law firm training and in-house corporate legal department experience.
• Currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; Nabors does not provide work visa sponsorship for this position.
• Must pass pre-employment and random drug tests.

Preferred Qualifications

• J.D. from accredited, nationally ranked law school with excellent academic performance.
• Deep understanding of oilfield services, drilling operations, or heavy industrial machinery technologies.
• Proven ability to align IP legal strategy with corporate business development and global commercial goals.
• Exceptional communication skills to successfully interface between engineering teams, commercial business leads, and executive management.
• Strong analytical, research, and writing skills and ability to exercise sound business judgment and work independently, but as a member of an integrated law team.
• Prior experience handling similar functions in an in-house legal department or law firm.
• Experience advising directors, board committees, and senior officers of publicly traded companies on corporate, commercial, and other legal issues.
• Conflict resolution, strategic thinking, and planning skills.
• Proven leadership skills in a multi-national environment and understanding of multi-cultural communication styles.
• Significant legal staff management and staff development experience.
• Ability to manage work through others and across multiple programs.