Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property

GEICO seeks an intellectual property (IP) lawyer to join its in-house Legal department. Your focus will be on supporting the development of GEICO’s patent portfolio; you will also support the valuable GEICO brand, support our engineers with respect to open source, advise the company on IP strategy, and be responsible for diverse IP issues as needs arise.

It is an exciting time to be at GEICO. GEICO has been building world-class engineering, product, and design organizations, and is rapidly advancing its strategies with respect to user experience (UX) / user interfaces (UI), artificial intelligence (AI), and other technology areas. This role will provide you an opportunity to have a big impact in support of GEICO’s increased focus on innovation.

You will be a member of GEICO’s IP team, which is a part of GEICO’s technology law organization that is responsible for privacy, cybersecurity, AI, and IP.

Key responsibilities:

• Conducting invention harvesting sessions, making patent filing decisions, and managing outside patent counsel for effective patent application drafting and prosecution.
• Delivering IP trainings to software engineering, UX/UI design, and product teams.
• Developing strategies for managing risk with respect to third party IP and managing IP disputes.
• Managing outside trademark counsel for effective filing and prosecution of trademark applications and renewal of trademark registrations.
• Supporting GEICO engineering with respect to open source licensing and open source community participation.
• Developing and enhancing IP-related corporate policies.
• Advising the business on IP issues.

Required qualifications:

• J.D. or LL.M. degree from an accredited law school, active license to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction, and registration as patent attorney with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
• Undergraduate degree in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering, or significant professional experience with software.
• At least six years of experience practicing intellectual property law, with significant experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications.
• Deep understanding of patent law, in particular patent eligibility (35 USC 101), as applied to software.
• Interest in learning and growing professionally, and willingness take on projects and responsibilities in new (to you) areas.
• Ability to work autonomously, but also interest in cultivating collaborative working relationships with colleagues in the Legal department and internal clients.

Preferred qualifications:

• In-house legal experience.
• Professional experience in a technical field, e.g., as a software engineer.
• Experience with open source software, design patents, trademark practice, UDRP actions and online brand enforcement, patent freedom to operate studies, IP litigation, IP licensing, and IP support for commercial transactions.

Annual Salary

The above annual salary range is a general guideline. Multiple factors are taken into consideration to arrive at the final hourly rate/ annual salary to be offered to the selected candidate. Factors include, but are not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, the selected candidate’s work experience, education and training, the work location as well as market and business considerations.

Benefits:

As an Associate, you’ll enjoy our Total Rewards Program* to help secure your financial future and preserve your health and well-being, including:

• Premier Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance with no waiting period**
• Paid Vacation, Sick and Parental Leave
• 401(k) Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Training and Licensures

*Benefits may be different by location.  Benefit eligibility requirements vary and may include length of service.

**Coverage begins on the date of hire. Must enroll in New Hire Benefits within 30 days of the date of hire for coverage to take effect.

The equal employment opportunity policy of the GEICO Companies provides for a fair and equal employment opportunity for all associates and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. GEICO hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

GEICO reasonably accommodates qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to receive equal employment opportunity and/or perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship to the Company. This applies to all applicants and associates. GEICO also provides a work environment in which each associate is able to be productive and work to the best of their ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment. We expect and require the cooperation of all associates in maintaining an atmosphere free from discrimination and harassment with mutual respect by and for all associates and applicants.