Patent Counsel (IP & Open Source)

Quick Facts

• Own and manage the company’s patent portfolio end to end.
• Advise on open source approach, public technical disclosures, and broad IP strategy.

Description

This Patent Counsel role manages the patent function by driving portfolio strategy and day-to-day management, while also advising on open source and reviewing technical publications before they go external. You’ll serve as a trusted IP advisor across the business and collaborate closely with engineers and researchers.

Responsibilities

• Own the patent portfolio end to end: invention harvesting, disclosure meetings, portfolio mining, and directing patent application preparation and prosecution with outside counsel.
• Drive patent strategy and filing/continuation/abandonment decisions based on technical merit, competitive landscape, and cost; own portfolio health and reporting against product roadmaps.
• Counsel and collaborate with engineering on open source license review and approval for inbound and outbound open source, including license compatibility and compliance risk.
• Review papers, blog posts, conference talks, and other public technical disclosures for IP and confidentiality risk.
• Provide strategic and portfolio advice on protecting and defending IP rights worldwide.
• Support IP diligence for partnerships, M&A, and vendor relationships.
• Train product and engineering teams on intellectual property matters; build scalable tools, policies, and processes.

Requirements

• 5+ years of patent prosecution experience in a relevant area.
• Experience advising on open source license compliance.
• Member of the Patent Bar with substantial understanding of patent law outside of litigation.
• JD required.
• BS or MS in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent technical field.
• State bar membership.
• Eligible to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office.
• Proactive, self-directed, detail oriented, organized, and with exceptional communication skills.
• Adaptable to shifting priorities; comfortable balancing deep legal work with high-volume counseling.
• Demonstrate AI fluency and comfort using AI tools in day-to-day work.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options with additional programs.
• Mental health benefits.
• Family building benefits; child care and pet benefits.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• 12 observed holidays plus discretionary paid time off (salaried) or 15 days paid time off (hourly).
• 18 weeks of paid parental leave for biological, adoptive, and foster parents.
• Subsidized commuter benefits.
• Monthly Lyft credits and complimentary Lyft Pink membership.