Commercial Counsel (IP, Product, Commercial)

The Opportunity: 

The Legal department is looking for the next addition to our legal team -- a great lawyer who will manage our IP portfolio and various technology policies (e.g. open source) and work closely with technology teams on any expansion of our IP; advise various product and technology teams on AI, use of data and data governance; and review, draft and negotiate SaaS agreements with vendors and strategic partners. 

As IP & Product Commercial Counsel, you’ll join a global team and report directly to the Chief Legal Officer. You will partner directly with executives and senior business and technology leaders on the maintenance and growth of our global supply chain technology platform and our IP portfolio. 

This role is a great opportunity for someone with a passion for technology, excellent problem-solving skills and an ability to thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment that requires cross-functional collaboration across the legal, technology and business teams. 

You Will: 

Manage the Company’s IP Portfolio:

• Manage and maintain an ever-expanding global trademark portfolio along with outse counsel 
• Lead internal invention harvesting/brainstorming activities with technology team members 
• Manage patent preparation, prosecution, and related activities carried-out by outside counsel 
• Review draft patent applications, office actions and other patent office submissions 
• Conduct training related to patents 
• Support IP-related aspects of M&A and strategic transactions 
• Analyze any potential third party infringement, cease & desist notifications and any IP-related disputes 

Lead Commercial Contracts for SaaS & Technology Partners 

• Negotiate SaaS contracts with a variety of third parties including vendors in the cutting edge technology areas of supply chain visibility. customers and vendors (G&A) across all industries, segments and geographic locations. 
• Support and coach product, engineering and operations teams on the most critical IP and data-related commercial issues in SaaS contracts and deals. 

Provide Product Counsel to Various Business & Technology Teams:

• Work with various product and engineering teams on AI-related initiatives, data integrations with various third parties and data governance policies and procedures. 
• Serve as a trusted advisor and business partner across the Company by providing counsel and guidance for accomplishing Flexport’s overall business objectives.

Negotiate Commercial Contracts for the US Business: 

• Negotiate commercial contracts of all types with various types of vendors (non-SaaS, G&A, various commercial) 
• Advise a multitude of business teams on risk, negotiating points, and agreement structures. 
• Collaborate with leadership in Sales, Finance, Risk, Insurance, Compliance, Operations, and various business teams across the Company to close deals. 

You Should Have: 

• JD and bar admission to practice in any US state. 
• 4 + years of professional experience including private law firm experience and/or in-house. 
• Experience in intellectual property, whether at a law firm or in house. 
• A solid understanding of commercial contract law. 
• Experience and/or the willingness to learn how to review cutting-edge platform products and services that implicate data sharing, data rights, data use, AI, and data integrations between Flexport and various third parties
• Experience and/or desire to partner with a dynamic product & engineering team across the Company 
• Desire to expand to support additional business teams as required by Company growth.
• Practical experience and solid knowledge of commercial and contract law. 
• Comfort with handling topics such as privacy and data protection in the commercial contract context. 
• The ability to multitask, work on your own, and prioritize multiple, often competing for deliverables while managing expectations meeting deadlines. 
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to coordinate effectively and gain trust and confidence with personnel at many different levels. 
• Ability to work as a team member of the legal department in a scalable, autonomous and accountable manner, demonstrating flexibility across deal types and time zones. 
• Excellent communication skills to interact with both internal departments and external business clients while addressing complex issues in an accurate, clear, and thorough manner. 
• The ability to build relationships and to establish myself as a trusted advisor and business partner across the Company.
• You'll need to be proactive and engaged, able to work well cross-functionally both internally and externally, excited about technology and e-commerce, and ready to roll your sleeves up and dig into tough legal problems to reach a creative solution