Description:

This role in summary:
The Patent Counsel position will be responsible for developing the legal strategy and providing legal counsel to ensure that An American Multinational Manufacturer and Marketer of Home Appliances Company's current and future innovations are protected. This position reports through the law department to the Legal Director, Patents & Intellectual Property Litigation, and supports An American Multinational Manufacturer and Marketer of Home Appliances Company's global product organization. At Whirlpool, the Patent Counsel role is expected to bring leadership and expertise in the area of patents, trade secrets, and innovation protection to An American Multinational Manufacturer and Marketer of Home Appliances Company's business units, the law department, and in administrative and judicial proceedings. You will help ensure An American Multinational Manufacturer and Marketer of Home Appliances Company's unique and compelling innovations are a core driver of An American Multinational Manufacturer and Marketer of Home Appliances Company's success in product leadership and improving life at home.

Your responsibilities will include:

Developing and executing intellectual property protection strategies related to assigned An American Multinational Manufacturer and Marketer of Home Appliances Company innovation and technology areas.
Advising on patent strategy, and managing the filing, prosecution, and maintenance of An American Multinational Manufacturer and Marketer of Home Appliances Company's global patent portfolio.
Negotiating intellectual property-related contracts, including M&A, confidentiality, development, and license agreements, and assisting in negotiation of more general commercial agreements, including procurement and service agreements.
Investigating and pursuing opportunities to enforce An American Multinational Manufacturer and Marketer of Home Appliances Company's intellectual property and monetize its intellectual property assets
Establishing product clearance plans and reviewing and advising on freedom-to-operate risks.
Providing intellectual property advice and training to the engineering and business teams.
Developing and improving the processes and systems that enable the patent function within the law department to efficiently deliver a sophisticated intellectual property strategy.
Provide thought leadership in advancing An American Multinational Manufacturer and Marketer of Home Appliances Company's business strategy through intellectual property.
Organize and lead strategic legal projects, including building relationships and inspiring cross-functional collaboration.
Design and implement efficient and effective processes for meeting the business's need for legal strategies and support.
Recognize and cut to the core of legal issues and then provide a practical, business-oriented approach to problem solving.
Be relied upon to effectively and independently manage major projects. Communicate clearly and concisely with technical and non-technical audiences, both in writing and verbally.

Minimum Requirements:

JD from an accredited law school, with strong academic credentials and Bar Admission.
Bachelor's Degree in a technical field.
Approximately 5-10 years of legal experience as an attorney.
Ability to prioritize and manage a large volume of concurrent projects.
Strong analytical, organization, communication, and project management skills.

Preferred Skills and Experiences:

Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Experience in patent or trade secret litigation, IP transactions, patent monetization, and global patent portfolio management.