Legal Counsel - Patents

Trinseo is a different kind of global materials company – at the intersection of people, technology, and customers. We are a world leader in the production of plastics and latex binders. Our culture is built on passion and innovation.

A career at Trinseo presents a unique opportunity to work in a highly collaborative environment. Helping customers solve their most complex material challenges is the reason we come to work each day. We are seeking innovative thinkers – ready to tackle any challenge and passionate about delivering value.

As a global materials solutions provider focused on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to our customers, we need people to feel respected and included so they can be more creative, innovative, and successful. We strive to create workplaces that reflect all communities and customers we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. That's why we're fully committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience to drive us forward every day.

Role Overview (Scope of Role)

The Legal Counsel - Patents helps to drive revenue and margin growth by encouraging and enabling the creation and protection of intellectual property (“IP”) related to the Company’s businesses at cost-effective rates to ensure long-term competitive advantage. 

This includes: (i) managing the world-wide capture and protection of IP – focusing on patents, know-how, trade secrets, etc.; (ii) defining best practices and processes for IP management; and (iii) managing relationships (internal, customer, supplier and outside counsel) and mitigating risks with third parties related to IP – including technology related agreements, in-bound & out-bound licensing and dispute resolution.

• Patent/Know-How Counseling – key member of Capital Asset Management to identify innovations, obtain invention disclosures, review and priority patent filing strategy.
• Technology Related Agreements – provide counseling, drafting and negotiation for in-bound and out-bound open innovation collaborative agreements
• IP Management & Administration – manage relationships with law firms and legal process outsourcing (“LPO”) firms (e.g. translations, EPO nationalizations, etc.) to deliver best in class services at lowest practical cost via a virtual resource network.  ]
• Lead negotiations with law firms and LPOs to optimize cost structure require broad experience in many jurisdictions.  Responsibility for IP Department’s budget (preparation / review / forecasting).
• Miscellaneous Other Legal Support – potential M&A support and external technology licensing activities.
• For all activities, utilize and manage a paralegal.
• Drive Capital Asset Management reviews by setting scheduling and martially the critical technical and business resources to effectively prioritize new patent filings and manage existing patent portfolio.
• Routinely involved with HR issues concerning the hiring of new employees with employment agreements and defining boundaries of permissible work activities for former Trinseo employees.
• Manage competition (antitrust) issues as necessary.

• Bachelor of Science Degree in engineering
• Juris Doctor (law) Degree
• Licensed Attorney-at-Law in good standing
• Deep subject matter expertise in both IP Law and IP business strategy.
• Proven track record achieving desired business results with integrity.
• 5+ years patent preparation and prosecution experience with a minimum of 70 patent applications drafted.  Preferably, this patent work is in polymer chemistry in the compounding and manufacturing process areas (as opposed to molecular area).
• Global mindset and culturally sensitive.
• Strong subject matter expertise in all aspects of Intellectual Property (patents, trademarks, trade secret   protection, M&A, divestitures, licensing, litigation, and contract administration).
• Ability to exercise sound business and legal judgment taking into account multiple business priorities (and constraints).
• Ability to educate and influence senior leaders and Company leadership on complex IP matters through vision, force of personality and leadership skills, including the ability to demonstrate confidence in making difficult decisions.
• Effective and credible leadership skills and business profile.

Diversity And Inclusion

With our expanding global presence, cross-cultural insight and competence are essential for our ongoing success. We believe that a diverse workforce contributes different perspectives and creative ideas that enable us to continue to improve every day. Race, gender, ethnicity, country of origin, age, personal style, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion, life experiences and many more factors contribute to this diversity.

#LI-Remote