Assistant General Counsel

At Skysong Innovations—the specialized technology transfer and intellectual property management organization for Arizona State University (ASU)—the Assistant General Counsel is a dynamic, collaborative role that provides legal counsel in the areas of intellectual property and contract law, drafts intellectual property license agreements and various related agreements, and otherwise serves as an important part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to positively impact society.

What you’ll do 

• Assisting with legal matters related to the Skysong Innovations’ business

• Structuring, negotiating, and drafting intellectual property license agreements, inter-institutional agreements, intellectual property provisions within industry-sponsored research agreements, MTAs, NDAs, MOUs, grants, subawards, consortium agreements, consulting agreements, academic collaborations, service agreements, CRADAs, and other higher-education transactions

• Identifying and mitigating legal risks through implementing strategies to strengthen intellectual property and technology commercialization contract terms, enhance compliance, and mitigate organizational risk

• Conducting effective communication of potential contract risk to ASU and SI stakeholders at all levels

• Advising on federal intellectual property and technology transfer laws and regulations, including federal funding regulations and the Bayh-Dole Act

• Demonstrating knowledge of Arizona Board of Regents intellectual property governance requirements, including IP ownership and revenue distribution, and providing legal support, as needed

• Conducting legal research as necessary to provide practical and strategic guidance

• Developing training materials and other resources for ASU on intellectual property and technology-related legal issues, including intellectual property and technology commercialization

• Managing relationships with outside counsel

• Working with business development professionals and deal teams to formulate intellectual property licensing strategies

• Building relationships with the legal community to further the Skysong Innovations’ technology commercialization efforts

What you'll need ​​

• Ability to represent the organization and to enthusiastically serve as an emissary/advocate for SI and its key client ASU

• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing constituencies

• Collaborative style, combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment

• Working to extensive knowledge of the anatomy and inner workings of intellectual property licenses is required

• Working knowledge of intellectual property principles and basic familiarity with the patent prosecution process is required

• Ability to maintain a high-degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Skysong Innovations (SI), ASU Enterprise Partners, and ASU business and confidential information

• Strong and collegial interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, writing, and by phone with faculty, researchers, administrators and industry representatives

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

• Independent thinking and problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.

• Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing assigned duties

• Highly organized and able to multitask

• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities and communication plans

• A proven communicator – comfortable dealing with senior faculty and university executives and administrators - as well as with executives in the commercial communities of technology, in order to develop and maintain relationships with faculty, industry, and other academic institutions

Relevant qualifications 

• At least two (2) years of direct, hands-on transactional legal experience in structuring and negotiating transactions involving intellectual assets, including patent and technology licensing

• Member in good standing with the State Bar or Arizona or ability to become admitted to the bar in a 12-18 month period from start of employment

• Strong background in intellectual property law and contract law

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Experience working with university relationships and agreements viewed as a plus, particularly in the area of university technology transfer

• JD required

Mental demands

• High attention to detail is paramount. Clarity of focus while juggling complex projects or deadlines.

Benefits 

• Hybrid work schedule. We work from home two days a week! 

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance 

• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution 

• 22 days of vacation time 

• 11 holidays, including your birthday 

• Parental leave 

• Significant tuition reductions 

• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement 

About Skysong Innovations 
 

Skysong Innovations is ASU’s exclusive technology transfer and intellectual property management company responsible for the rapid and wide dissemination of ASU’s discoveries and inventions into the marketplace for the public good. 
 

Our goal is the rapid and wide dissemination of ASU discoveries and inventions into the marketplace. 
 

With the support of its entrepreneurial arm at Skysong Innovations, ASU has become one of the top-performing U.S. universities in terms of intellectual property inputs (inventions disclosed by ASU researchers) and outputs (licensing deals and start-ups). Skysong Innovations was established in 2003 as an Arizona Limited Liability company, formerly known as AzTE. 

At Skysong Innovations 
 

You think creatively, and you don’t sacrifice the critical details in favor of the big picture. 
You look at the broad-scale applications of nascent products and technologies, and work to bring each one of them into the marketplace. You’re willing to brainstorm alternative commercialization pathways to find the best mode to market. 
 

You’re a powerful mind in your own field, and you’re eager to work with present and future leaders in others. 
Your expertise allows you to appreciate how different marketing and licensing decisions will affect potential industry partners, and allows you to act as a sentinel who ensures a fair return on the value provided by university intellectual property.