Legal Counsel, Global Corporate Legal Affairs

In this global role, the Counsel, Global Corporate Legal Affairs (“Counsel”) supports the well-established intellectual property (“IP”) and subsidiary governance functions of Manulife’s Global Governance, Investments, and Transactions team. The ideal applicant will have 3-5 years of experience in IP and/or corporate law, obtained at a large national firm. As the primary focus of this role will be on IP, some prior experience with IP matters and/or a very strong interest in developing expertise in IP matters is required. This role is based out of Manulife’s global headquarters in Toronto and reports to the AVP & Associate Chief Counsel, Head of Global Intellectual Property Law, with matrixed reporting into the AVP & Associate Chief Counsel, Global Subsidiary Governance & Head of Global Competition Law.

In respect of their IP duties, Counsel assists the AVP & Associate Chief Counsel, Head of Global Intellectual Property with centralizing Manulife’s global trademark portfolio and manages and maintains the portfolio. Duties include: drafting license agreements; assisting the IP law clerks in each relevant jurisdiction with registering/renewing trademarks; conducting research and providing search results/opinions; maintaining and monitoring copyright and patent portfolio; assisting with the negotiation of potential opposition files; assisting with domain portfolio governance and potential disputes; coordinating with Marketing representatives across the globe; liaising with our global external IP agents; and providing general legal support across the various global marketing segments.

In respect of their subsidiary governance duties, Counsel collaborates with the Centre of Excellence Lead, Senior Corporate Law Clerk, and members of the Global Subsidiary Governance Office to ensure that subsidiary governance activities are carried out in a timely and efficient manner. Duties include: drafting intercompany agreements and related documents; preparing quarterly and yearly reporting for executives and the board of directors; overseeing the preparation of materials for subsidiary board meetings; and providing general legal support relating to corporate law and governance.

Position Responsibilities:

• Drafts various IP law instruments, including: trademark license agreements, copyright license agreements, co-existence agreements, cease and desist letters, and other trademark-related documentation, including revising IP provisions within contracts across the business units.
• Assists with trademark oppositions, including negotiations, discussions with business representatives and providing instructions to global external trademark agents.
• Develops and/or revises policies and procedures relating to intellectual property (trademarks, copyright, patents, domain names), and training of same.
• Ensures the IP law clerks are submitting timely corporate and IP filings with the relevant government agencies.
• Provides guidance, as required, to corporate and IP law clerks across the enterprise.
• Monitors developments in corporate and IP law and makes recommendations for revising precedent documents and internal processes and procedures to address regulatory changes.
• Drafts various corporate law instruments, including: intercompany financing agreements and related documents supporting the implementation of intercompany transactions, complex directors’ and shareholders’ resolutions, and other instruments as required.
• Prepares insightful quarterly and yearly subsidiary governance reporting for executives and the board of directors by analyzing data, identifying trends, highlighting issues, and making practical recommendations.
• Oversees day-to-day work product of corporate law clerks in connection with routine corporate transactions and subsidiary board meetings.
• Quarterbacks, as required, corporate transactions for the Group Functions segment of the Company.
• Conducts research and prepares pragmatic legal advice, having regard for legal, regulatory, and reputational risks.
• Identifies, documents, analyzes, and constructs legal solutions to advance business objectives.

Required Qualifications:

• Law degree and admitted to practice law in the Province of Ontario.
• 3-5 years of experience practicing IP law and/or corporate law in a large national law firm and/or in-house legal department of a large public company. Some prior experience with IP matters and/or a very strong interest in developing expertise in IP matters is required. While corporate law is an asset, training will be provided in this area.
• A continuous learning mindset and willingness to engage in formal and informal professional development activities.
• An execution mindset, and appreciation that successful in-house lawyering is multifaceted, which involves a combination of legal and non-legal work to achieve business objectives.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent computer skills: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and Adobe Acrobat.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent judgment.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Professional aptitude and strong work ethic.
• Ability to take charge, work independently, and proactively handle various tasks simultaneously, as well as the ability to work well in a team environment and with other departments and outside parties.
• Ability to manage projects and deliver on time.
• Ability to produce high-quality work while working under strict timelines.
• Ability to be discreet when handling confidential issues.

When you join our team:

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

#LI-Hybrid