Patent Law

S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. is seeking a patent counsel with primary patent-related responsibilities for one or more designated consumer product business areas, groups, and/or special technology initiatives or projects within the corporation. In addition, each patent counsel may be called upon as needed, to provide general patent support for the Company business at-large in matters beyond his/her designated areas of responsibility.

The Company patent activities reflect our global business presence. The areas of responsibility for this position include technologies usually focusing on delivery systems (such as systems or methods for aerosol, volatile, or liquid dispensing), small devices, new product formulations, and the like.

Responsibilities:
? Proactive counseling of inventors and project leaders with respect to patent matters and project strategies. Counseling business unit management with respect to patent strategy and other patent matters. US patent application preparation and prosecution, requiring skill in evaluating patent opportunities and managing outside counsel in claim strategies and other application preparation and prosecution matters.
?  International patent application preparation and prosecution, with efficient guidance of patent counsel in other countries.
? Conducting right-to-practice reviews of company products, including infringement and validity evaluations and design-around guidance to inventors and project leaders.
? Drafting and negotiating technologically focused contracts, including joint development agreements, patent licenses, secrecy agreements, and consulting agreements. Some of this work may be done in cooperation with a transactional attorney also assigned to the same business areas.
? Coordinating and/or supervising litigation issues with outside counsel.
? Teaching occasional in-house seminars relating to patents, patent strategy, technological contracts, and the like.

Qualifications:
? A minimum of 5 years of patent practice, with in-house corporate practice experience being desirable but not essential.
? Practice experience must include US patent preparation and prosecution and should also include experience with as many of the following as possible: client counseling, right-to-practice evaluation, international patent matters, contract preparation and negotiation, and patent litigation activities.
? Excellent communication and organizational skills, and ability to make seasoned judgments.
? Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well in a fast paced dynamic environment with other attorneys and with the Company's technical and business personnel.

Requirements:
? Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific or engineering area (with practical knowledge of chemistry and the mechanical arts emphasized for this position).
? J.D. or equivalent degree.
? Admission to the bar in at least one state and admission to practice before the USPTO as a patent attorney.
? Applicants will be expected to submit a non-confidential writing sample of their past work.

Contact:
Candidates interested in this position should submit resumes online at http://www.scjohnson.com.

Additional Info:
Employer Type: Large Corporation
Job Location: Racine, Wisconsin