General Counsel, Associate Expert

Immediately

Salary commensurate with experience

40.00 Standard from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

A resume is required to apply. Candidates under final consideration will also be required to submit professional references, college degree information, and employment history to an online third-party vendor.

For more than 140 years, The University of Texas System has improved the lives of Texans — and people all over the world — through education, health care, and research. The System consists of nine academic institutions, five health institutions, and The University of Texas System Administration. The institutions of the UT System employ more than 116,000 faculty, health care professionals, researchers, support staff, and student workers.

The UT System Administration is primarily based in Austin, Texas. It supports the missions of the System’s fourteen institutions by providing financial, legal, planning, purchasing, government relations, communications, development, and other central services. Serving a growing state, the UT System Administration strives to provide a welcoming, supportive work environment that embraces different perspectives - not only because it enables the organization to be stronger, creative, and thoughtful, but because it is the right thing to do. To that end, UT System Administration embraces state laws on military and former foster children employment preferences.

The selected candidate will report to the Assistant Vice Chancellor & Managing Counsel for Business Law and provide legal advice, counsel, and representation on intellectual property matters. These matters may include: (i) patent, copyright, and trademark licensing; (ii) intellectual property litigation; (iii) research and development agreements involving a number of different industries and specializations, and (iv) technology commercialization.

Though experienced in intellectual property, the ideal candidate will be eager and willing to collaborate and problem solve with clients and legal colleagues in a variety of contexts.

• Drafts and negotiates intellectual property licensing agreements including patent, copyright and trademark licenses.
• Advises clients regarding all aspects of trademark registration, maintenance, licensing and protection.
• Drafts and negotiates confidentiality agreements and advises clients regarding trade secret protection and management.
• Reviews, drafts, and advises clients regarding intellectual property litigation.
• Advises clients regarding technology and research and opportunities for commercialization.
• Drafts, negotiates and advises clients regarding research and sponsored research agreements.
• Reviews proposed transactions, licenses, contracts and other agreements to assure compliance with federal and Texas law and applicable UT System Regents’ Rules and UT System policies.
• Assists clients in structuring licenses and intellectual property agreements within legal constraints, while achieving business needs.
• Conducts legal research and prepares written and oral legal opinions regarding intellectual property matters.
• Drafts, interprets, reviews and advises clients regarding UT System Regents’ Rules and UT System policies involving intellectual property.
• Communicates effectively with clients and OGC leadership, attorneys and staff.
• While based in UT System Administration’s Austin headquarters, travels within and outside Texas as necessary and is capable of effectively working remotely as permitted.

• Advanced analytical skills
• Review fact situations and law to determine appropriate actions
• Interpret statutes, regulations, caselaw, and policies
• Advanced written and oral communication skills
• Advanced knowledge of civil procedure, Federal and Texas laws
• Advanced ability to elicit information, analyze facts and assess legal options

• Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• Admission to Texas Bar, or for out-of-state applicants licensed in another jurisdiction, Admission without Examination within six months of hire date.
• At least ten (10) years’ experience as a licensed attorney, with a strong background in intellectual property.
• Effective written/oral communication skills and ability to manage a broad range of complex issues in a collaborative environment.

• Experience in drafting, negotiating, and advising clients on intellectual property matters involving some of the following industries: medical, pharmaceutical, publishing, higher education, energy, and oil and gas, or branding/advertising/marketing.
• Other experience in counseling clients regarding copyrights, trademarks, non-disclosure agreements, and trade secrets.

• May work around standard office conditions.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Uses standard office equipment
• 10% Travel
• Requires occasional evening or weekend hours

The standard retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. However, the incumbent of this position may elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. Participation in either TRS or ORP is mandatory.

A background check will be conducted on applicants under final consideration. The background check may include any or all of the following: criminal history check, prior employment verification, education verification, professional references check, and motor vehicle records check. Background checks are conducted by third-party vendors. Upon request from the third-party vendor, candidates under final consideration must provide the required information for the background checks to be completed.

The University of Texas System Administration is a federal contractor committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees in all terms and conditions of employment. U. T. System will provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state laws.

For information on accommodations for individuals with disabilities, please contact the Office of Talent and Innovation at oti@utsystem.edu.