Description:

Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property
Remote to start, with the potential for headquarters and satellite offices in the future

In this role, you will serve as a leader in A New, Purpose-Built, Non-Profit Entity legal function, with a particular focus on driving the development and execution of our intellectual property strategy.

You will collaborate with industry, academic, and government stakeholders to help foster, utilize and protect intellectual property breakthroughs that will shape the future of the semiconductor industry.

To thrive in this role, you must have deep expertise in intellectual property licensing and similar transactions, strong communication and collaboration skills, and the ability to provide practical, actionable advice in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

A New, Purpose-Built, Non-Profit Entity is a new non-profit consortium created to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) established by the CHIPS Act. We are bringing together industry, academia, and government to solve the most pressing challenges facing semiconductor research, development, and workforce training. Our efforts will re-establish American leadership in semiconductor technology and secure critical supply chains.

As Senior Counsel for Intellectual Property, you will play a critical role in standing up A New, Purpose-Built, Non-Profit Entity legal operations, with a particular focus on intellectual property matters. With your deep expertise in intellectual property law, you will help establish and implement policies and systems for the ownership, use, management, confidentiality, security, and disposition of intellectual property generated through the NSTC programs that Natcast operates. You will also help that Natcast's own intellectual property is appropriately protected, managed, and leveraged to support our mission.

Responsibilities:

Serve as the lead attorney for Natcast on intellectual property matters, supporting the development and execution of Natcast's intellectual property strategy and NSTC intellectual property policies and governance
Work with stakeholders in the semiconductor industry, academia, government, and others on intellectual property policy and governance
Ensure that Natcast's intellectual property is appropriately protected and, when appropriate, enforced, including through the development, implementation, and maintenance of systems to manage Natcast's intellectual property
Draft, review, and negotiate Natcast research and development agreements, commercial and non-commercial licensing agreements, technology transfers, and other agreements involving intellectual property rights
Work with outside counsel to file and prosecute patent applications
Engage with Natcast personnel and researchers to identify and counsel Natcast on IP exploitation opportunities
Provide training to Natcast personnel and stakeholders on intellectual property matters
Manage outside legal resources on intellectual property matters
Support the development and growth of the Natcast legal function, assisting in budgeting and management, handling special projects, and tackling any matters that need handling

Near-term Deliverables

Help develop and implement an intellectual property policy framework for intellectual property arising from NSTC programs that Natcast manages
Set up appropriate and up-to-date template contracts, contract provisions, and contract playbooks that further Natcast's mission and comply with applicable intellectual property laws, regulations, and policies

Required Skills and Experience:

J.D. required, must be licensed and currently in good standing to practice law in one or more jurisdictions
Minimum of 8 years' experience in intellectual property law, with significant experience in negotiating and drafting complex intellectual property licensing and similar intellectual property transactions
Clear writer and tactful communicator
Creativity, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently
Ability to deliver practical advice that the client can act on
Strong project management skills
Collaborate with the team and bring a positive attitude to your work
Effectively manage outside counsel
Effectively prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously

Bonus points if you have:

Experience with semiconductor R&D
Start-up experience
Experience with nonprofit-funded research and development projects

Key Traits for Success

Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Strong analytical abilities
Effective project management
Passion for Natcast's mission and the role of intellectual property in advancing it