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Chief Intellectual Patent Counsel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Patent Counsel II supports legal matters relating to Foundation Medicine's intellectual property portfolio, with a primary focus on next-generation sequencing technologies, molecular diagnostics ...

The Patent Counsel II supports legal matters relating to Foundation Medicine's intellectual property portfolio, with a primary focus on next-generation sequencing technologies, molecular diagnostics ...

Patent Counsel

Bridgewater, NJ Β· On-site

$250K - $280K/yr

The Patent Counsel is a senior level role within the Intellectual Property Function of Amneal. The day-to-day focus is (i) providing IP guidance to scientists and senior management in R&D to support ...

Patent Counsel

Bridgewater, NJ Β· Hybrid

$250K - $280K/yr

The Patent Counsel is a senior level role within the Intellectual Property Function of Amneal. The day-to-day focus is (i) providing IP guidance to scientists and senior management in R&D to support ...

Patent Counsel

Bridgewater, NJ Β· Hybrid

$250K - $280K/yr

The Patent Counsel is a senior level role within the Intellectual Property Function of Amneal. The day-to-day focus is (i) providing IP guidance to scientists and senior management in R&D to support ...

Patent Counsel

Bridgewater, NJ Β· Hybrid

$250K - $280K/yr

The Patent Counsel is a senior level role within the Intellectual Property Function of Amneal. The day-to-day focus is (i) providing IP guidance to scientists and senior management in R&D to support ...

Patent Counsel

Bridgewater, MA Β· On-site

$250K - $280K/yr

The Patent Counsel is a senior level role within the Intellectual Property Function of Amneal. The day-to-day focus is (i) providing IP guidance to scientists and senior management in R&D to support ...

This role focuses on patent prosecution, strategic IP counseling and managing outside counsel. You ... Provide practical, business-focused legal advice on a wide range of intellectual property issues ...

This role focuses on patent prosecution, strategic IP counseling and managing outside counsel. You ... Provide practical, business-focused legal advice on a wide range of intellectual property issues ...

This role focuses on patent prosecution, strategic IP counseling and managing outside counsel. You ... Provide practical, business-focused legal advice on a wide range of intellectual property issues ...

The Senior Patent Counsel will work on a wide variety of Intellectual Property matters within the Intellectual Property Department at Globus including: Product Clearance, Patent Filing & Prosecution ...

The Senior Patent Counsel will work on a wide variety of Intellectual Property matters within the Intellectual Property Department at Globus including: Product Clearance, Patent Filing & Prosecution ...

Manage patent portfolios in collaboration with outside counsel. * Partner with a wide array of ... Provide practical, business-focused legal advice on a wide range of intellectual property issues ...

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Chief Intellectual Patent Counsel information

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How much do chief intellectual patent counsel jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for chief intellectual patent counsel in the United States is $25.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.80 and $26.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a chief intellectual patent counsel do?

A Chief Intellectual Patent Counsel is a senior legal executive responsible for overseeing a company's intellectual property (IP) portfolio, with a primary focus on patents. They develop and implement strategies to protect the organization’s inventions, manage patent filings, handle IP litigation, and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This role often involves working closely with research and development teams, advising on patentability of new technologies, and negotiating IP-related agreements. The Chief Intellectual Patent Counsel also leads a team of patent attorneys and coordinates with external counsel as needed.

How does a chief intellectual patent counsel typically collaborate with R&D and business teams to align patent strategy with company goals?

A Chief Intellectual Patent Counsel works closely with research and development (R&D) as well as business units to ensure that the company's patent portfolio supports its overall objectives. This often involves participating in product development meetings, identifying patentable innovations early, and advising on IP risks or opportunities. They also help prioritize patent filings based on business value and competitive landscape, fostering strong communication between legal, technical, and commercial stakeholders. This collaborative approach not only protects the company's innovations but also maximizes the strategic value of its intellectual property.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief intellectual patent counsel, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Intellectual Patent Counsel, you need deep expertise in patent law, a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, a license to practice law, and typically registration to practice before the USPTO, along with extensive experience in intellectual property management. Familiarity with patent prosecution systems, IP portfolio management software, and legal research databases is essential, as well as knowledge of international patent regulations. Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills set top candidates apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for protecting company innovations, guiding IP strategy, and ensuring compliance in a complex legal landscape.

What is the difference between Chief Intellectual Patent Counsel vs Patent Attorney?

AspectChief Intellectual Patent CounselPatent Attorney
CredentialsJurist Doctor (JD), technical background, bar admission, patent barJurist Doctor (JD), patent bar, technical background
Work EnvironmentIn-house legal department, corporate settingLaw firms or corporate legal teams
Industry UsageLarge corporations, tech companies, biotech firmsLaw firms, corporate legal departments, patent agencies
Primary FocusOverseeing patent strategy, managing patent portfolios, legal complianceDrafting, filing, and prosecuting patent applications

The Chief Intellectual Patent Counsel typically holds a senior in-house legal role focused on patent strategy and portfolio management within a corporation. In contrast, a Patent Attorney often works in law firms or corporate legal teams, primarily handling patent application processes. Both roles require similar credentials, but their responsibilities and work environments differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Chief Intellectual Patent Counsel jobs?

For Chief Intellectual Patent Counsel jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Chief Intellectual Patent Counsel job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,600 per year, or $25.3 per hour.
Foundation Medicine
Biotechnology Research and DevelopmentΒ β€’Β 1 - 5K employees

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Draft, prosecute, and manage U.S. and foreign patent applications related to molecular diagnostics, bioinformatics, AI, machine learning, and other specified technologies.

  • Partner with scientists, engineers, and business leaders to identify patentable inventions and develop prosecution strategies.

  • Coordinate and manage outside counsel, conduct patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses, and advise teams on IP risks and opportunities.


Job description

About the Job:

The Patent Counsel II supports legal matters relating to Foundation Medicine's intellectual property portfolio, with a primary focus on next-generation sequencing technologies, molecular diagnostics, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, clinical decision support software, and computational oncology platforms.

This position contributes to the development and execution of FMI's global patent strategy and works closely with Research & Development, Product Development, Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, Medical Affairs, and Business Development teams to identify, protect, and maximize the value of innovative technologies. This position offers the opportunity to build deep patent prosecution experience with mentorship from experienced IP attorneys and exposure to a global life sciences patent portfolio. As part of this experience, you will be exposed to technology that is changing patient's lives and fulfilling.Β 

A successful candidate will engage regularly with inventors and business leaders to provide practical, business-oriented counseling on patent, trade secret, publication, and competitive IP matters.

As part of this role, you will be expected to demonstrate subject matter expertise, independent judgment, strong business partnership, strong technical understanding of FMI's products and services, and collaboration across the organization. We are looking for someone who is curious, collaborative, detail-oriented, and excited to work on technology that is advancing patient care.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Draft, prosecute, and manage U.S. and foreign patent applications relating to molecular diagnostics, multiomic profiling technologies, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence and machine learning systems, in vitro diagnostic devices, data processing and computational biology, assay-related chemistries, sequencing, biomarkers, and therapeutic methods of treatment
  • Partner with scientists, engineers, software developers, data scientists, and business leaders to identify patentable inventions
  • Develop prosecution strategies to maximize portfolio value while supporting business objectives
  • Coordinate and manage outside counsel globally
  • Conduct patentability, freedom-to-operate, invalidity, and non-infringement analyses
  • Advise teams regarding publication review, trade secret protection, and invention disclosure practices
  • Counsel business and R&D stakeholders regarding patent risks, opportunities, and competitive landscapes
  • Support diligence, collaborations, licensing transactions, and strategic partnerships
  • Advise on and assess IP risk associated with AI-related technologies
  • Build a strong partnership with cross-functional stakeholders
  • Deliver practical advice that appropriately balances legal risk and business objectives
  • Provide training regarding intellectual property best practices and innovation protection
  • Support patent litigation, USPTO proceedings, European oppositions, and licensing disputes as needed
  • Assist in competitive intelligence and monitoring of third-party patent activity
  • Identify emerging legal or business risks and appropriately escalate issues when necessary
  • Develop a strong foundation in patent law and intellectual property strategy relevant to FMI's business
  • Demonstrate understanding of biotechnology, diagnostics, software, and AI-related intellectual property issues
  • Partner effectively with more senior legal team members when appropriate
  • Communicate complex scientific and legal concepts clearly
  • Operate with moderate supervision
  • Demonstrate increasing ability to prioritize and manage workload independently
  • Successfully manage a portfolio of matters with competing priorities
  • Deliver high-quality work product within established timelines
  • Develop strategic understanding of FMI's products, technologies, and the competitive landscape
  • Demonstrate initiative, collaboration, innovation, and commitment to FMI's values
  • Act as a trusted representative of the Legal organization
  • Comply with FMI's attendance policies

Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications:

  • J.D. from an accredited law school
  • 3+ years of patent prosecution and portfolio management experience
  • Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar
  • Registered Patent Attorney admitted before the USPTO

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. or M.S. in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Cell Biology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or a related discipline; M.S. or B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, or Software Engineering; or an equivalent combination of biotechnology and software experience
  • Experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications with limited supervision
  • Knowledge of domestic and international patent and trade secret laws, regulations, and processes
  • Experience with AI/ML systems, bioinformatics pipelines, software platforms, cloud computing, or healthcare software
  • Ability to assess the severity and scope of issues and escalate appropriately
  • Demonstrated record of collaborative, solution-oriented teamwork
  • Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal and scientific concepts to audiences with varying levels of familiarity
  • Exceptional organization, planning, and attention to detail
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of proprietary and sensitive information
  • Understanding of HIPAA and the importance of patient data privacy
  • Commitment to reflect FMI's values: Integrity, Courage, and Passion

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of Boston, MA is $156,400 - $195,500 per year. The salary range is commensurate with Foundation Medicines compensation practice and considers factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, external market conditions, criticality of role, and internal equity. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for Foundation Medicine's benefits.

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