City : ChesterfieldState : Missouri (US-MO)Country : United States (US)Requisition Number : 48912
A Day In The Life:
The Senior Legal Counsel is responsible for providing all needed IP support to Bunge businesses in LATAM and NA. This person will also collaborate with Bunge IP counsels in Europe and will support the efforts of Bunge business at various locations. The highly professional individual prioritizes the negotiation, drafting, and review of corporate and commercial contracts, in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
What You'll Be Doing:
• Patent Portfolio Management: Work closely with Innovation to understand, develop and draft patent applications in line with IP Strategy of the business. Reviews invention disclosures as assigned and drafts patent applications to be filed with relevant patent offices (first filing: BR, US, EP), applying high standards of legal and technical expertise to optimally protect Bunge's innovation pipeline. Provides recommendations and coordinates business decisions regarding foreign filing/ exam request/ national phase entry/ maintenance in accordance with IP Strategy. Coordinates execution of all formal documents.
• Manages global patent prosecution in accordance with relevant IP Strategy of the business, including review of office actions and providing clear and detailed instructions to outside counsel to ensure high-quality response in line with commercial interest and control of external costs. Conducts regular patent portfolio review with innovation/commercial to contain costs.
• Trademark Portfolio Management: Provides trademark-related legal support as assigned, including advising on trademark selection and protection, coordinating clearance searches, filings, prosecution and maintenance with business stakeholders and outside counsel, and supporting trademark enforcement, disputes and transactional matters in accordance with Bunge's brand and IP strategies
• IP Advice and Guidance: Identifies competitive patents of interest and conducts clearance for market launches. Provides oral and written legal opinions as to IP scope and coverage issues (patentability/registrability opinions, FTO risk assessments, infringement, validity, etc.) to stakeholders throughout the organization such as the value chain leaders, sustainability, Innovation, legal, tax, etc. Develops and maintains knowledge of developments in NA/LATAM IP (case) law in particular technical areas of responsibility and proactively uses the knowledge to provide optimal value-added support.
• IP Transactions Support: Provide IP-related transactional support for commercial and innovation activities, including drafting, negotiating, and advising on patent, trademark, technology, licensing, collaboration, and other IP agreements. Provides IP due diligence and strategic counsel for acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, technology transfers, and other business transactions to protect and maximize the value of the company's intellectual property assets.
• AI-Enabled Legal Practice: Uses approved AI tools to enhance the efficiency and quality of IP work, while applying appropriate legal judgment, verification, confidentiality, data-protection and responsible-use requirements. Supports the evaluation and adoption of AI-enabled workflows within the global IP team.
• IP Database Maintenance: Ensures the integrity and accuracy of IP portfolio data in the IP docket system and of the files in the IP portfolio. Maintains an accurate inventory of the existing patent portfolio.
• Disputes: Monitors the competitive IP space and works with stakeholders to identify potential problematic 3rd party IP applications for potential oppositions, challenges and litigation.
• Training: Provides training sessions and seminars on relevant IP topics and help to educate the stakeholders on IP strategies and IP laws generally.
• Budget: Develop (in consultation with Associate General Counsel, IP) IPbudget. Monitor and follow-up the actual costs monthly in view of the budget estimation. Assist Financial Department to track the costs, to provide the accruals and to adapt the budget.
• Business Relationship: The position requires regular and direct contact with all levels of the businesses and in particular work closely with the business management teams to gain a deep understanding of their business strategies, environment, strategic legal issues, challenges and opportunities, key customers, competitors and suppliers as they relate to IP.
Skill/Experience Requirements:
• Bachelor Degree in Biochemistry or Chemistry, Master/PhD a plus, and a Law Degree.
• Admitted to practice law in at least one state (preferably Missouri) or the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB)
• 5-7 years' recent hands-on experience with IP portfolio management and prosecution, FTO opinion work in the chemical or biochemical field, IP transactions, IP litigation support, and preferably experience supporting IP matters related to sustainability initiatives.
• Fluent in written and spoken English. Proficiency in Portuguese and/or Spanish is desirable.
• Experience in an international working environment is an asset.
Bunge offers a variety of benefits including health and wellness plans, retirement contribution and paid vacation/holidays.
