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Seasoned attorney with at least five years of prior relevant legal experience. Capable of handling most legal matters with a minimum of supervision. Responsible for developing corporate patent strategy, overseeing Kroger?s patent portfolio, and managing liability.

Essential Job Functions:
? Review and recommend changes to Kroger?s existing patent and invention policies and procedures and implement new processes where needed.
? Educate associates working in areas of the Company where development takes place on how to protect Kroger inventions and avoid infringement of third party rights.
? Work closely with research and development teams in IS&S, Manufacturing, Logistics and other departments to identify research of strategic importance worthy of patent protection.
? Undertake a substantial share of the patent drafting and prosecution work.
? Oversee the retention of outside patent counsel when necessary and manage the interaction between outside counsel and internal clients to eliminate duplication and inconsistency, improve efficiency and reduce cost.
? Implement a patent review committee or other formal process to analyze the value of potential patents and make better decisions on which patent applications to pursue.
? Oversee and maintain Kroger?s patent portfolio and take steps to enforce it when necessary.
? Analyze patents and author patentability, freedom-to-practice/clearance, validity and infringement opinions and provide related advice to the Company.
? Review, respond and provide advice to the Company with regard to claims of patent infringement.
? Assist with management of patent litigation.
? Assist as needed on overflow trademark work and other intellectual property matters.
? Draft, review and negotiate patent licenses, employee invention agreements, and development contracts.
? Oversee patent aspects of corporate mergers and acquisitions and related due diligence studies.
? Ensure that the Company complies with all applicable laws, rules and regulations within the associate?s areas of responsibility.
? Keep supervisor informed of all material legal matters affecting the Company.
? Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Minimum Position Qualifications:
? JD from an ABA-accredited law school.
? At least one State Bar membership in good standing.
? Registered to practice with the USPTO.
? Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
? Ability to travel independently.
? Seasoned attorney with at least five years of patent law experience.

Desired Previous Job Experience:
? Drafting and prosecution of patents (US and foreign).
? Preparation of infringement, validity, freedom to operate opinions and related client counseling.
? Project management experience.

Contact:
Interested candidates should contact Tom Dorgan at tom.dorgan@kroger.com.

Additional Info:
Employer Type: Large Corporation
Job Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

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