Corporate Counsel

ROLE OVERVIEW

Fanatics is seeking an attorney to assume the role of IP Counsel. Reporting to the Company’s Vice President - Legal Affairs & Brand Protection and housed in Fanatics’ Commerce division (but with responsibilities across the Company’s other verticals), the IP Counsel will serve as a strategic partner who must be able to succeed in handling a multitude of legal matters, including, but not limited to, managing intellectual property portfolios (with a focus on trademarks), trademark clearance, anti-counterfeiting and IP enforcement, IP-related disputes (including litigation), domain name matters, license agreements and other contracts, and general IP guidance and strategic advice. As noted below, to be successful in this role you must be an experienced IP attorney who is a self-starter, not afraid to ask questions, enthusiastic about the intersection of IP and business, and able to multi-task/handle various projects at once while effectively prioritizing. The IP Counsel delivers business and fan impact through BOLD leadership and execution excellence, leveraging data, automation, and AI-enabled insights.

HOW WILL YOU DRIVE IMPACT

Success is measured by the ability to deliver results through BOLD capabilities and measurable outcomes.

• Serve as a trusted colleague and creative problem-solver who can take independent ownership over matters and think independently and critically when it comes to various IP-related matters working alongside the VP - Legal Affairs & Brand Protection.
• Collaborate with the VP - Legal Affairs & Brand Protection and the rest of the Commerce Legal Team to provide legal advice to the executives and senior business leaders across the organization, including engagement in proactive issue-spotting, risk assessment and problem-solving.
• Involved with management and strategic guidance related to the company’s global IP portfolio (across multiple verticals), including communications with the applicable business units to arrive at sound portfolio strategy.
• Facilitate trademark clearance searches and provide appropriate legal guidance to applicable business units.
• Effectively collaborate and communicate both internally and externally regarding anti-counterfeiting and other IP enforcement matters. Review and evaluate potential enforcement matters and provide sound guidance on merits and strategy.
• Involved with management of various third-party IP-related disputes, including litigation.
• Provide legal support to Fanatics Licensing Management’s College business, including guidance on IP-related legal matters, coordination of brand protection initiatives, and negotiation of license agreements.
• Provide support on IP-related matters pertaining to M&A activity.
• Provide strategic guidance on domain name portfolio and domain name disputes.
• Negotiate and structure trademark license agreements and other contracts.
• Provide sound general IP-related advice across the organization.
• Interpret and advise with respect to rights and obligations under Fanatics' agreements.
• Collaborate with other members of the Commerce Legal Team, including with respect to issues requiring subject matter expertise, and oversee/leverage outside counsel, as needed.

AI & DIGITAL CAPABILITY

We are building a future-ready organization. This role is expected to:

• Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes
• Use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance
• Demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in adopting new technologies and ways of working
• Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

CAPABILITIES & EXPERIENCE YOU BRING

Required Qualifications:

• JD from an ABA-accredited law school and licensed to practice in at least one US jurisdiction
• 6+ years of IP experience, including substantive law firm background; in-house experience a plus
• Litigation and patent experience both a plus, but not required
• Be a self-starter with strong work ethic capable of taking ownership of projects/matters
• Possess a strong desire to assume a wide variety of responsibilities, be flexible and grow with the Company
• Have excellent organizational, communication and analytical skills
• Strong attention to detail and highly organized
• Possess the ability to work on several projects at once while balancing competing objectives
• Produce high-quality work product in a timely manner to meet demands of the Company
• Be confident and have strong interpersonal skills
• Work well both independently and as a team player
• Be a creative thinker who can initiate and develop alternative approaches to complex issues
• Possess a strong sense of integrity

WORK LOCATION

Hybrid: The primary place of performance of this role is the Company's office, subject to the Company's current hybrid work policy. This role currently requires flexible in-office presence (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).