Senior Counsel

Location: Wilmington, DE

About the role

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company focusing on discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. We push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients across our key therapeutic areas. This role supports our US and global teams in the BioPharmaceuticals Business Unit, operating under the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel and providing legal support to business teams across three therapeutic areas: Respiratory & Immunology; Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism; and Infectious Disease.

The Senior Counsel plays two important roles within the BioPharmaceuticals Legal team. First, the Senior Counsel is responsible for the strategy, management, and budgeting of global litigation and government investigation matters. Second, the Senior Counsel will be a proactive business partner advising on key legal risks and opportunities across the product lifecycle. Critical thinking and influencing skills are key, as the position has a direct impact on business activities with significant reputational or financial value and risk. The Senior Counsel must articulate legal considerations to business stakeholders clearly and concisely with a clear understanding of internal and external legal trends.

Responsibilities

• Independently lead IP litigations, contract disputes, product liability litigations, as well as government investigation matters.
• Effectively partner with outside counsel and internal AstraZeneca stakeholders on strategies to bolster litigation positions and facilitate the ability of the BioPharmaceuticals business to achieve its objectives.
• Establish appropriate litigation matter budgets and ensure costs are delivered within acceptable budget variances.
• Coordinate timely and practical legal advice on commercial risks across assigned BioPharmaceuticals therapy areas.
• Advise on legal aspects of contractual arrangements and strategic opportunities with customers and partners.
• Advise on mitigation strategies for fraud and abuse and other legal risks related to market access and commercial strategies for assigned products.
• Work effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization and collaborate on legal advice within the broader legal team.
• Demonstrate leadership within business and legal teams by proactively seeking to improve ways of working and contribute to the professional development of colleagues.

Requirements

• Law degree and admission to the bar of at least one state.
• 5+ years of experience working in the legal department of a corporation or major law firm, preferably working with the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience handling sophisticated IP disputes. Experience preparing pleadings, motions, and written and oral discovery in IP litigation matters.
• Ability to take accountability, appropriately calibrate risk, and enable clear decision-making with confidence and professional maturity.
• Intellectual curiosity, appetite for learning, and a proven ability to master new subjects quickly and effectively.
• Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively, maintain positive relationships, and manage a diverse workload.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills and ability to operate effectively under pressure.
• High level of integrity and strong work ethic.

Desired Experience

• Intellectual property litigation in the pharmaceutical space before a federal court and, ideally, before administrative tribunals.
• Product liability litigation, contract evaluation, dispute resolution, pharmaceutical regulations, the US False Claims Act, and the Anti-Kickback Statute.

Schedule

In-person work gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace, and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual working style.