Senior Counsel - Intellectual Property

Senior Counsel – Intellectual Property 

At EY, you will have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global scale, support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. And we are counting on your unique voice and perspective to help EY become even better too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all. 

Our General Counsel’s Office (GCO) supports EY’s business by serving as trusted advisors to the EY community and providing the highest quality legal services to EY’s service lines and business enablement functions.

The opportunity: 

As Senior Counsel – Intellectual Property (IP), you will provide a broad range of IP related guidance and legal support to the firm’s business teams in connection with protecting firm assets, developing new products and services, and negotiating contracts (particularly license agreements) with clients, suppliers and other third parties.  This position requires both technical expertise in various IP disciplines and a strategic mindset that fosters collaboration on complex legal and business topics.  You will work extensively with internal stakeholders across the firm and furnish IP-related legal analysis and guidance.  You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with lawyers around the world who are members of the Global GCO network.

Your key responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive legal advice on all IP matters, including advising on IP infringement matters
• Advising EY business stakeholders about their IP rights, potential risks and best practices across all forms of IP (including patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, etc.)
• Work with business leadership and other GCO attorneys to refine patent and general IP strategies to support the evolving business and market in which the firm operates
• Draft, review and negotiate complex license and technology transfer agreements and work to resolve issues pertaining to high-value IP while maintaining a reasonable risk profile
• Work with other members of the GCO and business stakeholders to support legal and governance frameworks from an IP perspective
• Collaborate with product teams and GCO colleagues to develop new products, services and platforms, while protecting the firm’s IP rights
• Support due diligence for IP transactions and M&A activities
• Support data use rights governance and open-source software compliance
• Develop and implement customized IP protection strategies for business stakeholders
• Conduct patentability assessments and infringement risk analyses
• Respond to ad hoc inquiries relating to copyright and trademark issues
• Team with other GCO attorneys to develop and lead training on IP and related best practices for business teams

To qualify, candidates must have:

• 7+ years of experience as a practicing attorney, ideally with a mix of law firm and in-house experience
• Bachelor’s degree (preferably in an engineering or science field) from an accredited four-year college/university, top of class preferred
• Juris Doctor from a top national law school
• Good standing with a State Bar, including being current on individual state CLE requirements
• Recent and relevant experience in providing business-practical legal advice on complex IP matters, including patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret issues
• Knowledge of legal considerations relevant to complex technology and emerging technologies (including Generative AI)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; should be able to discuss complex topics in an articulate and thoughtful manner
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Outgoing personality with excellent interpersonal skills; ability to have frequent, effective interactions with wide array of firm personnel
• Willingness to take initiative; be highly motivated and ambitious
• Strong critical thinking skills and analytical ability; possess an inquisitive nature
• Ability to adjust strategies and advice based on evolving business needs and market conditions
• Ability to think strategically about IP issues and how they relate to business goals
• Comfortable making decisions without perfect information
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex license agreements and technology transfer agreements
• Familiarity with open-source software compliance and related issues

What we look for

We’re interested in agile individuals who have critical thinking skills along with a strong business acumen and deep knowledge of the law.  

What we offer

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options.  Under our flexible vacation policy, you’ll decide how much vacation time you need based on your own personal circumstances.  You’ll also be granted time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.  

Plus, we offer:

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.
• Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.
• Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.

If you can demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us as soon as possible. 

The exceptional EY experience. It’s yours to build.  

EY | Building a better working world  

EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.   

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.   

What we offer you
At EY, we’ll develop you with future-focused skills and equip you with world-class experiences. We’ll empower you in a flexible environment, and fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams. Learn more.

• We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business.  The base salary range for this job in all geographic locations in the US is $177,800 to $332,400.  The base salary range for New York City Metro Area, Washington State and California (excluding Sacramento) is $213,300 to $377,800.  Individual salaries within those ranges are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills and geography.  In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options.
• Under our flexible vacation policy, you’ll decide how much vacation time you need based on your own personal circumstances. You’ll also be granted time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today. 
EY accepts applications for this position on an on-going basis.  

For those living in California, please click here for additional information.

EY focuses on high-ethical standards and integrity among its employees and expects all candidates to demonstrate these qualities.

EY  |  Building a better working world

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

EY provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected basis, including arrest and conviction records, in accordance with applicable law.  

EY is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities including veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and either need assistance applying online or need to request an accommodation during any part of the application process,  please call 1-800-EY-HELP3, select Option 2 for candidate related inquiries, then select Option 1 for candidate queries and finally select Option 2 for candidates with an inquiry which will route you to EY’s Talent Shared Services Team (TSS) or email the TSS at ssc.customersupport@ey.com.