Senior Counsel - Intellectual Property

About the role

Join one of the biggest names in payments as a Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property. This role plays a critical part in supporting the company's innovation and technology strategy, focusing on patent prosecution and IP-driven commercial transactions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage global patent prosecution strategies aligned with Global Payments' technology and product roadmap.
• Oversee preparation, filing, and prosecution of U.S. and international patent applications.
• Manage outside patent counsel and external service providers.
• Partner with engineering and product teams to evaluate invention disclosures and advise on patent strategy.
• Draft, review, and negotiate IP-related commercial agreements, including technology licenses, SaaS agreements, development and collaboration agreements, and strategic partnerships.
• Advise internal stakeholders on IP ownership, licensing structures, and risk allocation.
• Support IP-related aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and strategic investments.
• Provide practical IP counseling to engineering, product, and business teams.
• Counsel on IP enforcement, disputes, and coordinate with litigation counsel as needed.
• Contribute to broader legal department initiatives and process improvements.

Requirements

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar.
• Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• 8+ years of experience in patent prosecution and IP counseling, including law firm and/or in-house experience.
• Experience managing outside patent counsel and global IP portfolios.

Qualifications

• Technical background in software, computer science, or electrical engineering is a plus.
• Experience in technology, payments, financial services, or SaaS industries is a plus.
• Experience with international IP strategy and cross-border transactions is a plus.

Skills

Strong business judgment, effective communication, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, global technology environment are essential.

Benefits

The company offers competitive compensation, including a good faith estimated annual salary range upon hire of $186,000.00-$280,800.00. This range reflects the role's responsibilities, level, and geographic location. The actual starting salary will be determined by a candidate's experience, job-related skills, and relevant education or training.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for individuals with qualified disabilities both during the hiring process and to allow the individual to perform the essential functions of the job, if hired.

This position is eligible for bonus.