Senior IP Paralegal
The Senior IP Paralegal will be a part of a team of attorneys and paralegals, working closely with supervising attorneys, VF brand business teams and Legal Department colleagues to provide strategic oversight for VF brand intellectual property protection and enforcement worldwide. This role will be responsible for providing a portfolio of brands – namely, the Vans®, JanSport®, Eastpak® and Kipling® brands – with global legal support in litigations, oppositions, clearance, and applications to continue strengthening our brand identities across the globe.
How You Will Make a Difference:
- Develops and executes strategy for protection and enforcement of worldwide intellectual property rights including trademarks, copyrights, patents, domain names and licensing.
- Works alongside a team of attorneys and paralegals to provide comprehensive, consistent intellectual property support to brand teams.
- Develops strong partnerships with brand teams to understand business objectives, protect brand identity, enforce intellectual property rights, and assess portfolio strengths, risks, and needs; prepares draft updates and summaries on strategic issues for business clients and partners with supervising attorney to communicate strategy to business clients.
- Provides legal review and clearance for print and commercial advertisements, catalogs, and product development, partnering with supervising attorneys and escalating as needed; evaluates risk and advises business on routine matters; actively monitors new and longstanding brand content for potential patent, trademark and copyright protection.
- Partners with supervising attorneys, Global Brand Enforcement team and outside counsel to investigate and counteract counterfeiting and infringement activities worldwide.
- Manages and prepares budget plans, forecasts, and accruals for legal services as needed. Oversees all outside counsel and vendors to ensure quality of service and implementation of effective fee arrangements. Builds strategic partnerships with outside counsel and vendors to develop creative fee arrangements and enhance legal strategy in cost-effective manner.
- Coordinates evidence gathering for disputes and renewals.
- Works with supervising attorneys to support and/or lead intellectual property training to brand teams.
- Educates self and their team on emerging trends and issues in intellectual property protection and proactively develops strategies and processes to protect our brands’ IP.
- Conducts other legal and administrative tasks that may be required from time to time.
- Brings an ability and desire to think differently and creatively. A drive to understand the “why” and adjust the “how” accommodate shifts in business strategy, decisions on approach, and competing business interests accordingly.
Years of Related Professional Experience: 10 years of experience in a law firm or law department; a mix of corporate and law firm experience preferred.
Educational/ Position Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree; paralegal certificate preferred
- Comprehensive knowledge of intellectual property issues and a firm understanding of brand protection
- Global experience
Key Skills for Success:
- Knowledge of WebTMS, NetDocs, Diams iQ or similar docketing and file management portal
- Knowledge of Saegis, Corsearch or similar trademark search and watch database
- Ability to assess legal risk and escalate appropriately
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Proactive with a strong work ethic, propensity to learn and sense of pride and accountability in work
- Ability to anticipate needs, respond to changing demands and develop creative solutions to problems
- Capacity to develop and maintain effective, professional relationships among internal and external stakeholders
Special Physical and/or Mental Requirements:
- Travel by air and overnight, as required 15-20% amount of time.
- Lifting and/or bending 20 lbs of weight.
Hiring Range:
$90,720.00 USD - $113,400.00 USD annually
Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.
Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.
Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.
At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at peopleservices@vfc.com. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law.
Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.