Job Description
Altria Group is a FORTUNE 200 company that owns the premier tobacco companies in the United States including Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, John Middleton and Nu Mark. The companies’ brands include Marlboro®, Copenhagen®, Skoal®, Black & Mild®, MarkTen® and VERVE®. Altria also owns Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, one of the country’s top premium wine producers, and Philip Morris Capital Corporation, an investment company. Altria’s mission is to own and develop financially disciplined businesses that are leaders in responsibly providing adult tobacco and wine consumers with superior branded products.
Altria Client Services’ role is to help Altria Group and its operating companies responsibly meet their business goals by providing the high quality services they require in a financially disciplined way. We are currently seeking a highly qualified Patent Attorney to join our Law department in Richmond, Virginia. The successful candidate will provide IP law support to Altria’s Research, Development and Engineering (RD&E) function, as well as Strategy and Business Development (S&BD).
Specific accountabilities include:
Supervising outside counsel on patent preparation and prosecution of domestic/ international portfolio.
Supervising invalidity and non-infringement opinions.
Advising on and negotiating complex business and technology transactions.
Reviewing and drafting documents and providing guidance on a wide-range of technology-driven arrangements and agreements.
Supporting RD&E in the management of external partnerships and development activities.
Assisting in M&A due diligence and integration activities.
Licensing and technology acquisition support.
Managing or supporting other commercial transactional matters, including international transactions.
Specific Skills
We are looking for candidates who have demonstrated outstanding abilities and legal experience, particularly in the area of intellectual property transactional law. Candidates must be highly capable of operating in a fast-paced environment; must show strategic thinking and attention to detail; and must have strong organizational and communications skills and ability to understand and clearly communicate scientific and technical information. Qualified candidates should be able to work independently as well as collaboratively, and handle multiple, conflicting priorities in a constantly changing environment, while managing a substantial workload and client expectations. The individual also must demonstrate reliability, good judgment, teamwork, time management, effective research and writing skills and the ability to oversee complex projects and lead them to successful completion in an organized, efficient and effective manner.
A law degree is required, with a solid record of academic achievement. The position requires between 7 and 10 years of experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, federal or state government agency, or related area. Admission to the USPTO and a state bar is required. Electrical engineering/physics background preferred.
At Altria Client Services, we recognize that our people are the reason we achieve our business goals. We believe in developing the leadership potential of our employees by providing them with opportunities for training, development and advancement.