IP Counsel or Agent

Job Summary

NetApp, a multi-billion dollar technology leader and highly sought-after employer, is adding an IP Counsel or Agent to join its award-winning legal department. The successful candidate will support the development of NetApp’s global patent portfolio. S/he will be responsible for conducting patent mining sessions, supervising outside counsel during the patent prosecution process, and harmonizing NetApp’s patent strategy with its business strategy. This attorney will work closely with NetApp’s technical and business organizations as an integral partner throughout the research and development process. 

We are looking for a highly motivated, tech-savvy, patent counsel or agent with at least four years of patent prosecution and portfolio experience in hardware, software, cloud, and hybrid cloud systems.

This is a hybrid position is based in Morrisville, NC (RTP) or Vienna, VA. Other locations near a NetApp office may be considered.

Areas of Responsibility

• Conduct patent mining sessions with product engineering teams in an efficient manner.
• Provide recommendations to senior leadership about what inventions should be patented.
• Supervise outside counsel in all aspects of patent prosecution, including drafting, office actions, and appeals.
• Build awareness and perform outreach about NetApp’s patent program among product engineering teams and educate them about the importance of intellectual property.
• Manage technology and systems for patent portfolio management, including evaluating possible uses of AI tools.

Qualifications

• Strong interest and ability to develop in-depth knowledge of NetApp's wide range of data management solutions and obtain patent protection for new innovations.
• Registered and in good standing to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, with relevant experience at a law firm and in-house directly in the tech industry.
• Four years of experience prosecuting patents and managing patent portfolios for hardware, software, cloud, and hybrid cloud systems.
• Proficient in the use of AI and patent portfolio management tools.
• Management and copyright experience desirable.
• Ability to build credibility, advocate, and influence business and other teams.
• Ability to prioritize and deliver multiple simultaneous projects under pressure.
• Strong collaboration skills across teams and organizations.
• Domestic and international travel may be required.