Lead Counsel, Product and Intellectual Property

Job Summary

The ideal candidate will have deep subject matter expertise in intellectual property law, a technology background, and a demonstrable history of providing practical product counsel to solve complex, time-sensitive problems in close partnership with cross-functional teams. This role reports to the Associate General Counsel, IP & Product.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Product Advice: Lead IP strategy for product development, embedding IP protection into the full product lifecycle from conception to commercialization, while also advising on related product and regulatory matters in collaboration with the broader legal team.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Research, Product, Engineering, Operations, Communications, and Marketing teams to mitigate IP risks in product development, data licensing, and open-source governance.
• IP Counsel: Support management of Scale's worldwide IP portfolio including patents and trademarks; assist with patent prosecution and trademark registration and enforcement.
• Risk Mitigation: Advise on third-party, synthetic, and open-source data and models, ensuring compliance with licensing requirements; design open-source governance policies.
• Agreements: Support drafting and negotiation of commercial agreement provisions involving intellectual property.
• Specialized Expertise: Provide counsel on machine learning, robotics, and other technical areas, with ability to engage effectively with technical teams on complex engineering and product issues.
• Training: Develop and deliver IP and data licensing training to enhance Scale's compliance culture.

Requirements

Ideal candidates will have:

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in intellectual property law at a top-tier law firm and/or in-house legal department (ideally product counseling within a high-growth technology company). Experience advising on broader product or regulatory matters is a plus.
• Education: JD and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar (California preferred) in good standing.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically at a high level and from deep in the details to drive complex problem-solving and develop creative, business-forward solutions.
• Risk Calibration: Ability to calibrate risk, distinguish business from legal risk, and communicate it clearly to executive, business, and technical audiences.
• Collaboration: Roll-up-your-sleeves attitude to tackle projects large and small with a low-ego, collaborative approach across the organization.
• Agility and Organization: Ability to think quickly in a fast-paced environment with excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Technical Fluency: Deep interest in artificial intelligence, generative AI, and machine learning technology, with the ability to engage effectively with technical teams.

Qualifications

Qualifications include:

• Experience in intellectual property law
• Technology background
• History of providing practical product counsel
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams
• Management of IP portfolio
• Advice on IP-related matters
• Engagement with technical teams

Benefits

Benefits include:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement benefits
• A learning and development stipend
• Generous paid time off

Pay

$227,000 - $284,000 USD

Schedule

Full-time

About Us

Scale is dedicated to developing reliable AI systems for the world's most important decisions. We provide the high-quality data and full-stack technologies that power the world's leading models, helping enterprises and governments build, deploy, and oversee AI applications that deliver real impact. We work closely with industry leaders like Meta, Ernst & Young, Mayo Clinic, Time Inc., the Government of Qatar, and U.S. government agencies including the Army and Air Force. We are expanding our team to accelerate the development of AI applications.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability status, gender identity or Veteran status.

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