Trademark Counsel

A Career at HARMAN
As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move, HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation, inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together, you’ll discover that at HARMAN you can grow, make a difference and be proud of the work you do every day.

About the role

The Trademark Counsel position is responsible for providing legal and/or business support to one or more business divisions, strategic business units (“SBU”), or corporate functions.  You will complete critical assignments with little supervision as assigned by manager and senior attorneys and must also have a broad understanding of HARMAN’s business objectives. This position will primarily support with the following: management of the global trademark portfolio and enforcement including, but not limited to prosecution, maintenance, clearances, oppositions, and infringement opinions. This position will also support with drafting rules for promotions, provide counsel for various marketing matters such as brand licensing, social media marketing, endorsements, and advertising claims, and prepare/draft/review/revise legal documents, and research/analyze legal issues and factual situations. Work is primarily driven by assignment of tasks/projects from a more senior attorney. Trademark Prosecution, maintenance, and clearance experience is required.

Your Team

This position will work closely and strategically with manager, paralegals, and senior attorneys.

What You Will Do

• Assist with managing the global trademark portfolio including, but not limited to prepare, draft, and file documents for global trademark prosecution matters, maintenance, and oppositions, including, but not limited to communicate regularly with outside counsel and internal clients to file trademark applications, report and respond to Office Actions, filing Declarations of Use, Statements of Use, renewals, and file opposition proceedings and file/defend cancellations; assess adequacy of specimens for amendments to allege use/statements of use and evidence in support of trademark proceedings

• Conduct global trademark searches; analyze and report search results

• Counsel clients regularly on various global trademark matters and may include copyright matters or other intellectual property

• Draft and respond to cease and desist letters

• Assist with brand enforcement including global anti-counterfeiting raids, investigations, and seizures

• Review, draft and negotiate a wide variety of agreements including master services, statements of work, licensing, marketing, and vendor agreements under the supervision of senior attorneys

• Provide practical, creative legal advice on a broad range of topics as assigned by senior attorneys in a fast-paced, high growth environment

• Assist with corporate, MD&A, special projects, and other legal matters as requested

• Promptly and effectively address legal risks and communicate to more senior legal colleagues within the legal department and the business in a timely manner

• Collaborate with other legal and compliance staff and organizational partners to develop, update and maintain templates, negotiation resources, processes, and playbooks

• Contribute to development and implementation of innovative ways to scale commercial legal processes

• Coordinate and communicate with in-house domestic and international law firms and agencies/business units.

• Able to translate legal issues for primary business clients and explain in a comprehensible manner; possesses diplomacy skills.

What You Need

• The candidate should have a Juris Doctor (or equivalent in jurisdiction) and admitted to practice law and in good standing in the United States.

• Must be able to demonstrate a basic level of analytic and project management skills, task-focused, works on own initiative to get things done, is able to work under pressure and manage multiple stakeholders.

• 3+ years of relevant (generally in-house or law firm) experience.

• Also 2-3 years of trademark clearance, prosecution, maintenance, and enforcement experience.

What is Nice to Have

• California attorney license in good standing.

• Substantial experience with managing a global trademark portfolio and conducting global trademark clearances.

• Experience with anti-counterfeiting and marketing issues.

• Previous experience as an in-house practitioner.

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 10%, domestic and international travel.

• Be willing to work Hybrid in office in Northridge, CA, Richardson, Texas, or Novi, Michigan. This is a hybrid position, not a full remote role

• Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen.

What We Offer

• Access to employee discounts on world class HARMAN/Samsung products (JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG etc.).

• Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University’s business and leadership academies.

• Flexible work schedule with a culture encouraging work life integration and collaboration in a global environment.

• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.

• Tuition Reimbursement.

• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program.

#LI-RV1 #LI-Hybrid

USD 100,125 - USD 146,850

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.