Overview:

Capital One’s legal department is looking for a proactive, talented, and dynamic patent attorney to join its fast-growing Intellectual Property team.  Members of our IP team harness a vibrant innovation culture and an engaged inventor community to develop and implement IP and patent strategies enterprise-wide.  It’s audacious, creative work at a massive scale with deep exposure to inventors and business leaders to protect and shape the future of Capital One. If you are inquisitive, collaborative, self-motivated and enthusiastic about technology and IP, particularly in navigating the new frontier of artificial intelligence, come join us!

We are looking for someone who:  

• Is an outstanding patent attorney with experience in preparing and prosecuting complex software or AI / machine learning centric applications as part of strategic product protection or portfolio building efforts; the successful candidate will be responsible for driving IP and patent strategy parallel to product development, with a specific focus on capturing and shaping critically important IP leveraging AI architectures and data-driven innovations.

• Is comfortable proactively engaging various teams across the enterprise to implement IP counseling and mine for critical IP; the successful candidate will set portfolio strategies and lead invention harvesting efforts that identify novel business-critical patentable technologies, and provide education and training to technical teams.

• Is a technology early-adopter who is comfortable utilizing generative AI and advanced legal-tech tools in day-to-day workflows; the successful candidate will lean into enterprise AI capabilities to streamline portfolio management and enhance cross-team productivity.

• Can efficiently and effectively manage multiple outside counsel teams and AI centric workflows, to ensure our processes generate and maintain high quality, relevant, and effective IP assets that will protect Capital One’s inventions and improve our overall strategy.

• Is an excellent verbal and written communicator; the successful candidate will need to feel comfortable presenting in front of inventors, colleagues, and business leaders, and will need to be able to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and simple way that fosters trust and respect.

• Can independently counsel clients, and is skilled at identifying and providing practical legal advice on a wide range of patent and IP issues, including trade secrets and copyright at the intersection of AI, and advising on matters related to litigation, partnerships, open source software, licensing, and acquisition. 

• Can effectively integrate patent strategy as part of a comprehensive IP strategy for mitigating third party risk and driving business goals; the successful candidate will have a mindset for rapid growth, to be able to effectively leverage all forms of IP to achieve business goals relating to partnerships and externalization. 

• Can demonstrate sound judgment even in novel situations, and investigate and understand business goals in a way that helps them evaluate risk effectively and provide practical legal advice.

• Has excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize effectively to meet deadlines or business goals.

• Is creative and not afraid to suggest and try something new to raise the bar and improve experiences with teammates, inventors, and stakeholders; the successful candidate takes pride in their work and wants to add value outside of the day-to-day expectations of the role.

• Is an excellent team player who can create friendly and collaborative working relationships, particularly with their teammates, the rest of the legal department, internal clients, and outside counsel. A good sense of humor and an interest in having fun at work are pluses!

This role is hybrid meaning associates spend 3 days per week in-person at one of our offices listed on this job posting.

Basic Qualifications: 

• Juris Doctor from an accredited Law School

• Active member in good standing of at least one state bar

• Registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

• At least 4 years of experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications and counseling to drive strategic harvesting and portfolio development

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering

• Experience with providing intellectual property client counseling, transactional counseling, licensing agreements, and M&A due diligence

• Experience leveraging or navigating trade secrets and copyrights, particularly as it pertains to software, as part of holistic IP counseling

• Experience with Open Source licensing and Standards Development Organizations

• Experience as a software developer

• Experience with Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence technologies

• Experience with payments or other financial technologies (Fintech)

At this time, Capital One will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount Capital One is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.

Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.

Capital One offers a comprehensive, competitive, and inclusive set of health, financial and other benefits that support your total well-being. Learn more at the Capital One Careers website. Eligibility varies based on full or part-time status, exempt or non-exempt status, and management level.