Job DescriptionThe OpportunityHelp shape how WSP protects, uses, and commercializes intellectual property across a complex global organization. As
Legal Counsel, Intellectual Property, you will support legal, compliance, and risk management matters relating to intellectual property and work with the Principal Counsel, Commercial & IP. You will help design and implement governance frameworks, contractual safeguards, and internal processes relating to intellectual property. Working closely with Legal, Digital, IT, Information Security, Procurement, and business stakeholders, you will provide practical legal advice on the development, deployment, use, and commercialization of technology, data-driven, and AI-enabled solutions across the organization.
Your Impact- Advise on intellectual property issues arising from the development, marketing, deployment, use and commercialisation of digital solutions, AI systems, and other technology.
- Advise on intellectual property issues arising from trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets related to engineering services, solutions, and technologies provided and used by WSP.
- Draft, review and negotiate intellectual property-related contract provisions and related legal documents, including SaaS agreements, EULAs, end-user notices and AI disclaimers, working from existing templates and playbooks.
- Support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of policies, standards, guidance, and governance processes relating to Intellectual Property.
- Support the Principal Legal Counsel, Commercial & IP, in advising regional legal teams on the management of intellectual property matters in their respective regions, including liaising with external counsel, as relevant.
- Contribute to IP due diligence on digital solutions, covering ownership, third-party rights, open-source software, code validation and the documentation a product needs before it reaches a client.
- Support the day-to-day administration of WSP's IP portfolio on our IP management platform, including trademark clearance and registration, patent filings, invention intake and the protection of trade secrets and know-how, and help coordinate external counsel where specialist input is required.
- Support IP transfers, and intercompany licensing and distribution arrangements.
- Help monitor competitive IP activity to identify third-party filings, market developments, risks and opportunities that matter to our teams.
- Contribute to the development of internal templates, playbooks, negotiation guidance, and knowledge resources.
- Deliver training and practical resources that make good IP practice the easy option across the business.
- Work effectively across functions and geographies in a complex global environment, including with relevant stakeholders such as Tax, Finance, and Procurement.
- Perform other duties relevant to the position, as assigned and required.
The Skills That Set You Apart- Qualified to practice law in Québec or another relevant jurisdiction.
- Approximately 3 to 5 years of relevant intellectual property legal experience, in private practice or in-house, ideally including commercial law, AI-related matters, privacy, and/or technology law.
- Sound understanding of intellectual property principles, including ownership, licensing, use restrictions, and the protection of proprietary rights, with the ability to apply them in a practical business context and the appetite to deepen the areas not yet covered.
- Strong knowledge of intellectual property applicable to a global organization, including the ability to interpret and apply legal and regulatory requirements in a practical business context.
- Exposure to legal issues relating to artificial intelligence, digital technologies, software, data use, intellectual property, and innovation initiatives, with a clear interest in building depth in these areas.
- Comfortable using AI tools, including generative AI, in day-to-day legal work, with an interest in helping develop practical internal solutions for the legal team.
- Ability to analyze complex legal issues, identify risks, and provide clear, practical, and business-oriented advice, with the judgment to know when to escalate.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and geographies.
- Ability to work independently, manage a varied workload with growing autonomy, prioritize competing deadlines, and support multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong judgment, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience supporting multinational corporations or global legal, privacy, or compliance programs is an asset.
- Relevant certifications or additional training in IP or technology law are an asset.
- Experience with trademark clearance, patent administration, IP management platforms or global IP programs is an asset, not a requirement.
- Strong contract drafting skills and oral communication skills.
How We Will Support You- You will set priorities with the Principal Counsel, Commercial & IP, who reviews the complex files with you and gives direct, constructive feedback.
- You will start with a working toolkit rather than a blank page: established templates, playbooks and precedents, a dedicated IP management platform, and external counsel when a matter calls for specialist input.
- You will join a global Legal team, with subject matter experts in all relevant fields of Law.
- You will gain early exposure to senior business leaders and to the files that shape how WSP protects and commercializes its technology, with your mandate broadening as your experience grows.
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CompensationAB, BC, NT, NU, SK & YT: $114,600 - $151,800
MB & ON: $104,500 - $143,900
NB, NL, NS, PE & QC: $103,500 - $137,400
Disclosure:The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.
Make Your Mark with WSPReady to help shape how a global organization protects and commercializes its ideas, technology, and innovation? Apply today and bring your legal insight, practical judgment, and intellectual property experience to work that creates lasting impact.
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