R&D Legal Counsel

Title:
Legal Counsel
Location:
TBD - Greater Toronto Area
About the OpportunityWe are searching for an IP focused counsel that will provide strategic legal and business guidance across intellectual property, innovation, commercialization, and technology development initiatives.
The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, research and development teams, and business stakeholders, helping to maximize the value of the organization's intellectual property assets while supporting innovation and long-term growth objectives.
This is an opportunity to join an organization with a sophisticated innovation ecosystem, a strong commitment to technology advancement, and a growing intellectual property portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute intellectual property strategies aligned with business and innovation objectives.
Provide strategic advice regarding patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and related intellectual property matters.
Manage and optimize domestic and international patent and trademark portfolios.
Partner with inventors, researchers, engineers, and business leaders to identify, evaluate, and protect new innovations.
Lead invention harvesting and disclosure processes.
Support technology commercialization, licensing, collaboration, and partnership initiatives.
Manage intellectual property risks and advise on freedom-to-operate considerations.
Coordinate and oversee relationships with external patent agents, law firms, and intellectual property service providers worldwide.
Advise on intellectual property aspects of strategic transactions, partnerships, and business initiatives.
Support dispute resolution, enforcement, opposition, and litigation strategies when required.
Monitor developments in intellectual property law, emerging technologies, and competitive activity.
Develop and deliver intellectual property education and awareness programs across the organization.
Ideal Background
Experience in in-house intellectual property law.
Experience across technology companies.
Licensed lawyer in the state of Ontario.
Significant experience in intellectual property law, patent strategy, portfolio management, or technology commercialization.
Demonstrated experience managing complex patent portfolios and/or innovation programs.
Experience supporting technology development, research activities, product initiatives, or commercialization efforts.
Strong understanding of patent prosecution, patent strategy, licensing, and intellectual property risk management.
Experience working directly with technical teams, inventors, researchers, or product development groups.
Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Preferred Experience
Experience supporting software, telecommunications, AI, life sciences, medical device, advanced engineering, clean technology, or other innovation-intensive sectors.
International intellectual property portfolio management experience.
Technology licensing and commercialization experience.
Experience leading intellectual property strategy within a multinational environment.
Personal Attributes
Strategic and commercially minded.
Strong business judgment.
Influential relationship builder.
Collaborative leadership style.
Analytical and solution-oriented.
Comfortable operating in complex and evolving environments.
Able to balance legal risk with business objectives.
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