General Counsel Jobs

Join the leader in collaborative licensing and help us advance inclusive and efficient new patent licensing approaches. Via Licensing Alliance is dedicated to accelerating global technology adoption, fostering participation, and generating return on innovation with balanced licensing solutions for innovators and manufacturers of all sizes around the globe. Via LA has operated dozens of licensing programs for a variety of technologies consisting of nearly 50,000 patents in over 130 countries with more than 500 patent holders and nearly 10,000 licensees. Via LA is an independently managed company owned by industry-leading participants with over 25 years of intellectual property licensing leadership.

Via LA’s expertise extends to intellectual property, technology standardization, strategic business development, and program administration. Affiliated specialists in the fields of finance, antitrust law, and patent analysis complete the set of capabilities that make Via LA a premier solutions provider to the world’s most sophisticated technology and entertainment companies.

This General Counsel role reports to the President of Via LA and is critical in overseeing all legal aspects of the company's operations, including patent pool administration and management. This senior-level position requires a deep understanding of intellectual property law, patent pools, licensing agreements, contract negotiation, and corporate governance. The General Counsel serves as the primary legal advisor to the company's executive team and is responsible for ensuring legal compliance and mitigating legal risks in all aspects of the business. The General Counsel will manage teams responsible for all contracts and licenses, patent-related matters, litigation, compliance and audits and corporate-related matters. The position requires a strong leader with demonstrated management skills.

Key Responsibilities

1. Legal Strategy and Guidance

• Develop and implement the company's legal strategy related to patent pool formation and execution, aligning it with the overall business objectives.
• Provide legal guidance to the executive team on matters related to patent pools, including patent pool agreements among licensors and patent licensing agreements.
• Stay up to date with relevant laws, regulations, and industry practices impacting patent pools and advise the company on any required actions or modifications to business practices.

2. Contract Negotiation and Management

• Provide legal advice on licensing terms, royalty structures, and other contractual provisions to optimize the successful operation of various patent pools.
• Manage the team responsible for the contract lifecycle, including tracking obligations, renewals, and amendments, and ensure compliance with contractual terms by all parties.
• Lead and oversee the negotiation, drafting, and review of patent pool agreements and related patent license agreements, ensuring they align with the company's interests and comply with applicable laws and regulations.
• Manage the team responsible for patent submissions and evaluations for inclusion in various patent pools and oversee implementation of royalty allocation rules.

3. Licensee Compliance

• Integrate Via LA’s technical and business information to identify and select potential licensee audits.
• Design license compliance strategy with internal and external audit and legal resources.
• Oversee audit process and settlement negotiations.

4. Licensing and Litigation

• Collaborate with licensors to develop patent enforcement strategies in jurisdictions throughout the world.
• Manage patent enforcement activities in collaboration with patent pool licensors and affiliates.
• Identify unwilling licensees and collaborate with licensors to facilitate engagement leading to the execution of a pool license agreement.

Qualifications and Skills

• Proven ability to provide strategic legal advice and guidance to senior executives.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment, multitask, and prioritize effectively.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Experience in managing and coordinating litigation related to patent licensing is highly desirable.
• Strong negotiation and drafting skills, with a meticulous attention to detail.
• In-depth knowledge of patent law, licensing agreements, and related legal frameworks.
• Substantial experience (typically 10+ years) as an attorney, with a focus on intellectual property law, licensing, and contract negotiation.
• Degree from an accredited law school, along with active bar membership.

The San Francisco/Bay Area base salary range for this full-time position is $270,000 - $335,000 and can vary if outside of this location. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, competencies, experience, market demands, internal parity, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range and perks and benefits for your location during the hiring process.

Via LA will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of San Francisco Police Code, Article 49, and Administrative Code, Article 12.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Via LA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our success depends on the combined skills and talents of all our employees. We are committed to making employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, marital status, family status, medical condition, disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.