Associate General Counsel & Director, Patents
Snap Inc. is a camera company. We believe that reinventing the camera represents our greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Our products empower people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.
The Legal & Policy Team is Snap’s dedicated in-house law firm, policy consultant, lobbyist, thought partner, and all-around advisor. We help Snap do the right thing the right way, make better decisions, understand and manage risks, and creatively navigate challenges, both external and internal. We value diversity and know it powers us as we build an innovative and inclusive leadership culture centered on Snap's values of Kind, Smart, and Creative.
Snap’s IP Team, which sits within Legal & Policy, leads the development and enforcement of intellectual property covering Snap’s cutting-edge products and brands. We partner with product and marketing teams across Snap to develop IP, file patents/trademarks/copyrights, mitigate IP risk in product decisions, advise on IP issues in contracts and M&A, and ensure that Snap is strategically positioned in our key markets across the world.
We’re looking for an Associate General Counsel, Patents to join the IP Team! As Associate General Counsel, Patents, you’ll oversee a talented team of patent attorneys and professionals who are working to develop Snap’s world-class patent portfolio. Working from our Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Seattle office, you’ll be responsible for managing all aspects of our patent program, for developing and updating Snap’s strategy around patent coverage and scope, and for counseling top executives on patent needs within their verticals. Your team will secure patent protection for our inventions and also handle a wide range of other IP matters including counseling on inbound and outbound open source software matters, evaluating patent acquisitions, and supporting and advising on M&A and commercial agreements.
What you’ll do:
Manage and grow Snap’s world-class patent portfolio
Develop and implement U.S. and international patent strategy
Work with design, research, and engineering teams across the company to identify valuable inventions, and to our align patent filing strategy with our product development roadmap
Manage preparation and prosecution of U.S. and international patent applications
Develop and implement a global patent incentive program
Participate in patent acquisition efforts
Manage the open source software compliance program
Conduct education and training sessions
Assist with patent litigation and licensing
Provide IP support in M&A, commercial, employment, and similar transactions
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
Experience in a senior role at an in-house patent program
Experience with a wide range of technological areas including, software, hardware, and business processes
Patent analysis skills, including patentability, patent claiming strategies, and development of non-infringement and invalidity positions
Experience with patent asset management systems (e.g., IPFolio)
Experience supporting M&A and related transactions on patent issues
Some experience handling patent assertions and litigation, and patent licensing
Experience evaluating the risks of using free and open source software
Strategic patent thinking, with the ability to look around corners to anticipate business needs at scale
Excellent legal and business judgment and ability to manage multiple matters at once
Outstanding communication and organization skills, including experience presenting to senior management
Entrepreneurial, detail-oriented, business-friendly, team player, with an ability to accommodate tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field of study
Juris Doctor Degree
8+ years of patent prosecution experience
Valid California bar registration (or another state bar plus eligible for Registered In House Counsel status)
Preferred Qualifications:
USPTO registration
Our Benefits: Snap Inc. is its own community, so we’ve got your back! We do our best to make sure you and your loved ones have everything you need to be happy and healthy, on your own terms. Our benefits are built around your needs and include paid maternity & paternity leave, comprehensive medical coverage, emotional and mental health support programs, and compensation packages that let you share in Snap’s long-term success.
At Snap, we believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together will enable us to create innovative products that improve the way people live and communicate. Snap is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please don’t be shy and contact us at [email protected].