Senior Intellectual Property Counsel
About the role
In this senior Corporate Counsel role, you will manage complex legal matters to protect FIS’ intellectual property assets, with an expanded leadership focus on patent strategy, patent portfolio development, and the rapidly evolving domain of AI law and governance. You will partner closely with business leaders, technologists, and product teams to guide innovation pathways, ensuring alignment between business objectives, patent filings, and responsible AI practices.
Responsibilities
Lead and refine the company’s patent strategy, ensuring alignment between innovation priorities and filing decisions
Identify patentable inventions through close collaboration with engineering, R&D, data science, and product teams
Lead and oversee partnerships with outside counsel for drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent applications
Build and manage a strategic patent portfolio covering emerging technologies—including AI, machine learning, and advanced software platforms
Advise on AI intellectual property issues, governance structures, risk assessments, and documentation
Provide legal oversight on responsible AI practices, including data usage, algorithmic risk, model audits, and safety evaluations
Counsel product teams on integrating AI technologies in a compliant, responsible manner aligned with global legal and ethical standards
Counsel on issues involving patents, trade secrets, copyrights, open-source software, software licensing, and related litigation
Conduct legal research and analysis on emerging IP and AI legal issues, trends, and regulatory developments
Provide practical, solution-driven legal advice to executives and business colleagues
Support complex, cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced, global environment
Qualifications
Juris Doctor (or equivalent) and admission to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction
Admission to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
7-15+ years of legal experience, with substantial focus on patent prosecution and patent portfolio strategy in a law firm or in-house environment
Strong knowledge of U.S. and international patent laws, AI-related legal frameworks, and emerging global regulatory trends
Experience advising on AI/ML compliance, or responsible technology frameworks
Skills
Deep experience evaluating patentability, responding to office actions, and managing global patent filings
Expertise working with engineers, developers, and data scientists to translate complex innovations into protectable IP
Strong communication, writing, and analytical skills
Ability to independently manage multiple complex matters and drive projects to completion in a dynamic environment
Experience counseling leadership within a large, matrixed organization