What are the responsibilities and job description for the Intellectual Property Attorney position at Midea?
About Midea America Corp
Midea America Corp. is a U.S. subsidiary within Midea Group, the Fortune 500 giant known for making life easier for millions around the globe. As the world’s top maker of home appliances, Midea is proud of its 166,000 employees and presence in 200 countries, including here in the U.S.
Headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., with an innovation hub in Louisville, Kentucky, Midea America provides practical innovations that surprise and delight, creating moments to cherish at home.
Midea's lineup of appliances - from refrigerators to air conditioners, laundry solutions and floor care - are high quality, reliable, and affordable. By thoughtfully engineering performance, convenience, and design into every product, Midea delivers on the promise of every appliance.
Job Summary
As we expand our footprint in the United States, we seek a US IP Attorney to strengthen our intellectual property protection and strategy. This position will oversee Midea’s intellectual property matters in the United States, including patent prosecution, IP litigation, licensing, and enforcement. The role involves collaborating with global R&D teams, outside counsel, and business units to ensure the company’s innovations are adequately protected and aligned with business objectives. This position is preferred to be based in Louisville, KY, but we may also open to Parsippany, NJ.
Key Responsibilities
Patent Strategy & Prosecution
- Develop and execute a US patent strategy aligned with Midea’s global IP portfolio.
- Manage the preparation, filing, and prosecution of US patent applications in collaboration with outside counsel.
- Conduct freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis, patentability assessments, and prior art searches for new product developments.
- Provide guidance to engineering, R&D, and product teams on patent strategies and IP risk mitigation.
IP Litigation & Enforcement
- Oversee IP litigation and disputes in the US, including patent infringement lawsuits and ITC Section 337 investigations.
- Coordinate with external counsel on legal proceedings and pre-litigation strategies.
- Develop enforcement programs against counterfeit products, unauthorized use of Midea’s IP, and trade secret misappropriation.
- Monitor competitors’ IP activities and provide risk assessments to leadership.
Licensing & IP Transactions
- Lead and negotiate IP licensing agreements, technology transfer deals, and strategic partnerships.
- Review and draft joint development agreements, NDAs, and collaboration contracts involving IP rights.
- Conduct IP due diligence in M&A transactions and business partnerships.
Trademark & Brand Protection
- Work with the branding and marketing teams to register, enforce, and protect Midea’s trademarks in the US.
- Address trademark oppositions, domain name disputes, and brand misuse cases.
Compliance & Training
- Ensure compliance with US patent, copyright, and trade secret laws, as well as industry regulations.
- Develop and deliver IP training programs for R&D, engineering, and business teams.
- Stay updated on legal developments in US IP law and advise the company on regulatory changes.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited US law school.
- Admission to a state bar (preferably California, Texas, or New York).
- USPTO registration required.
- 5 years of IP experience in a law firm or in-house legal department, with a focus on patents, trademarks, and IP litigation.
- Strong understanding of US patent laws, USPTO procedures, and IP litigation strategies.
- Experience working with engineering and R&D teams, particularly in consumer electronics, appliances, or manufacturing industries.
- Proven ability to manage outside counsel and legal budgets.
- Excellent negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with global teams.
- Mandarin proficiency is a plus but not required.
Midea America Corp. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon 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.
Featured benefits
• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401(k)
