Legal Consultant

Position Overview

Our IP department is growing, and we are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Patent Agent or Patent Attorney to join our team on a contractual basis. The successful candidate will play a key role in helping secure intellectual property (IP) protection for our innovations, helping to navigate the complexities of IP law, and ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations. This position offers the flexibility of hybrid work including remote work and the collaboration with a dynamic international team of inventors and legal professionals in the expanding and lucrative battery market.

Key Responsibilities

• Patent Preparation and Filing: Draft, review, and file patent applications, including provisional, non-provisional, and international (PCT) applications. Ensure all documents are prepared in compliance with patent office requirements.
• IP Portfolio Management: Assist in strategizing and managing the company's IP portfolio, including tracking deadlines, maintaining records, and ensuring timely responses to office actions and other communications.
• Patent Prosecution: Communicate with patent examiners, assist in responding to office actions, and negotiate claim scope to secure patent rights effectively.
• Prior Art Searches: Conduct thorough patentability searches, freedom-to-operate analyses, and intellectual property (IP) due diligence reviews.
• Consultation and Guidance: Collaborate with inventors to understand technical innovations and provide guidance on IP strategies.
• Trademarks: assist in trademark prosecution and enforcement.
• Compliance: Ensure that all IP-related activities comply with domestic and international IP laws and regulations.
• Legal Support: Provide support in litigation matters, including reviewing and analyzing patents for potential infringement or invalidity claims.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, material science, mechanical engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, or any other battery related fields, is required. Advanced degrees are a plus.
• Registration as a Patent Agent or Patent Attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• At least 1-3 years of experience in patent preparation, prosecution, and portfolio management. Experience in a specific technical field, such as batteries, is a plus.
• Strong understanding of IP laws, regulations, and procedures. Proficiency in conducting IP searches using patent databases, and with IP related applications, quick learning ability with a positive mindset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey complex technical and legal concepts clearly and effectively. Proven ability to direct others in IP matters is a plus.
• Highly meticulous with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. We value curiosity, initiation, pro-active mindset, can-do attitude, and problem solving capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with domestic and international patent applications and knowledge of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) process.
• Familiarity with IP management software and tools.

Work Environment and Contract Details

• Location: Local work in hybrid mode, with occasional travel for meetings or conferences when required.
• Hours: Flexible working hours, depending on project deadlines and workload.