Wells Fargo

Senior Counsel - Patents

Wells Fargo$139K — $239K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 4+ years of Law experience, or equivalent through work or education.
  • Active State Bar membership or equivalent in another country.
  • Registration to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office is preferred.
  • Degree in science, engineering, or related field qualifying for patent law.
  • Experience in evaluating software and fintech inventions for patent protection.
  • Experience managing outside counsel for patent prosecution outcomes.
  • Familiarity with AI-enabled tools for patent review and portfolio analysis.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a strategic advisor to business and technology leaders for innovation protection.
  • Lead invention harvesting and innovation counseling to translate strategy into intellectual property.
  • Evaluate inventions for patentability and recommend protection strategies.
  • Oversee outside counsel managing patent application processes and ensure quality standards.
  • Conduct assessments and analyses to inform product and market decisions.
  • Build partnerships with inventors and business leaders to foster innovation.
  • Deliver training programs to promote intellectual property awareness across the enterprise.

Benefits

  • Health benefits
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid time off
  • Disability benefits
  • Life insurance and critical illness insurance
  • Parental and caregiving leave
  • Commuter benefits
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Scholarships for dependent children
  • Adoption reimbursement
Full Job Description

In this role, you will:

  • Serve as a strategic advisor to business and technology leaders, partnering with them to identify, develop, and protect innovations aligned with Wells Fargo's strategic priorities.
  • Lead invention harvesting activities, invention disclosure reviews, and innovation counseling efforts that translate business strategy into protectable intellectual property.
  • Evaluate inventions and other innovations for patentability, strategic value, business impact, and portfolio fit, and recommend the protection approach that best advances enterprise objectives.
  • Provide strategic oversight of outside counsel responsible for preparing and prosecuting patent applications, setting filing, claiming, and quality expectations and ensuring consistency across the portfolio.
  • Conduct patentability assessments, competitive and landscape intelligence reviews, and freedom-to-operate analyses that inform product, investment, and go-to-market decisions.
  • Build strong partnerships with inventors, engineers, software developers, architects, data scientists, and business leaders.
  • Deliver intellectual property education and training programs that promote innovation and intellectual property awareness across the enterprise.
  • Leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and legal technology tools to improve the efficiency, scalability, and quality of intellectual property counseling, outside counsel oversight, invention evaluation, portfolio management, and legal service delivery.
  • Help shape the strategic priorities of the Intellectual Property Section and support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance intellectual property operations, reporting, analytics, and business impact.
  • Support intellectual property litigation and disputes, including infringement and validity assessments, assertion and defense strategy, responses to third-party demand letters, and coordination with litigation counsel and outside counsel.
  • Advise senior leadership on enterprise intellectual property strategy, policy, and governance, including emerging risks and opportunities presented by new technologies, partnerships, and business models.


Required Qualifications:

  • 4+ years of Law experience, or equivalent demonstrated through work or education.
  • Active State Bar membership or the equivalent in a country outside the United States


Desired Qualifications:

  • Registration to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
  • 4+ years of experience preparing and prosecuting United States patent applications.
  • Degree in science, engineering, or another field supporting patent practice eligibility.
  • Experience evaluating software and financial technology inventions for patent protection.
  • Experience managing outside counsel supporting patent drafting and prosecution outcomes.
  • Experience shaping patent strategy for a large enterprise or complex patent portfolio.
  • Experience applying AI-enabled tools to patent review, prosecution, or portfolio analysis.
  • Knowledge of AI, payments, digital banking, fraud prevention, cloud, or cybersecurity.

Job Expectations:

  • Ability to work from one of the posted locations on the required hybrid schedule.
  • Ability to work in the office at least three days each week.
  • Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Pay Range

Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.

$139,000.00 - $239,000.00

Benefits

Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.

  • Health benefits
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid time off
  • Disability benefits
  • Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Critical caregiving leave
  • Discounts and savings
  • Commuter benefits
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Scholarships for dependent children
  • Adoption reimbursement

Posting End Date:

25 Sep 2026

*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Careers

Joining Wells Fargo means becoming part of a distinguished financial institution that has been a cornerstone of innovation and leadership in the banking industry. At Wells Fargo, we offer a plethora of job opportunities designed to empower your career growth and development in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Work You’ll Do

At Wells Fargo, you will be part of a team that values diversity and is committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We are looking for professionals who are eager to drive innovation and lead with integrity. Our employees are our greatest asset, and we invest in their professional growth through comprehensive leadership and diversity training programs that are recognized industry-wide.

Explore a Multitude of Career Paths

Whether you're interested in a position in finance, IT, customer service, or management, Wells Fargo has career opportunities in various fields. Our team members benefit from job stability, competitive benefits, and a culture that values and rewards performance and dedication.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with a Wells Fargo internship. Our programs provide invaluable industry exposure, professional skills development, and networking opportunities that often lead to full-time employment offers. Interns at Wells Fargo work on real projects, solve actual challenges, and gain the mentorship of seasoned professionals.

Professional Growth and Development

We believe in nurturing the potential of our employees. Wells Fargo offers robust training programs and resources to help every team member excel in their current roles and prepare for future challenges. Growth at Wells Fargo is not just about climbing the career ladder but expanding your skills and expertise to add value to our team and customers.

Benefits and Rewards

Wells Fargo is committed to the well-being of our team members. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes health care, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. Additionally, we provide unique perks like employee discounts, adoption assistance, and tuition reimbursement.

Join Our Team

Discover the opportunities waiting for you at Wells Fargo by exploring open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for individuals who bring creativity, passion, and a drive to serve our customers.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest from Wells Fargo Careers by subscribing to our job alert emails. Tailor your subscription to receive updates that align with your career preferences and get insider tips on crafting the perfect resume and acing your interview.

Networking and Innovation

At Wells Fargo, networking and innovation go hand in hand. We encourage our employees to connect across departments and roles to foster new ideas and strategies that lead to groundbreaking solutions.

Empower Your Career

Step into a role at Wells Fargo where your skills will be honed, your achievements recognized, and your career can flourish. We're not just filling positions; we're building leaders who are equipped to navigate the complexities of the financial world. Join Wells Fargo today and be part of a team that’s redefining the future of banking.
Learn more about Wells Fargo
Size
246,577 employees
Market Cap
$155.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.3 billion
Founded
1852
5 Year Trend
-5.9%
NASDAQ

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