JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB SCOPE:
The intellectual property attorney will have responsibility for providing a full range of Intellectual Property (IP) legal services, and will report directly to Weatherford’s Associate General Counsel for Intellectual Property.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Advise Weatherford in matters involving intellectual property (i.e., patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret), including the preparation of intellectual property related legal opinions on issues such as freedom to operate, ownership, infringement, and validity;
Work closely with Research & Development Department and inventors on patentability of new inventions and on surveillance of competitor patent activities;
Draft, review, negotiate and administer intellectual property agreements, including confidentiality agreements, joint development agreements, licensing agreements and consultancy agreements;
Support intellectual property related due diligence in commercial transactions, such as acquisitions, divestitures, and licensing;
Manage patent application preparation and prosecution,
Prepare for and lead patent committee meetings for various product lines, and
Manage litigation matters involving Weatherford’s intellectual property rights, including advising on the infringement and enforcement of patent rights.
The position may involve limited domestic and international travel.
QUALIFICATIONS
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:
Strong business acumen
Demonstrated written and verbal communication, interpersonal, presentation, analytical, organizational, negotiation, and follow-up skills, the ability to meet deadlines as well as the ability to converse effectively with all levels of employees.
Solution-oriented; proven focus on operational excellence and innovation
Pragmatic, doesn’t overcomplicate, but provides practical solutions and implementation strategies.
Comfortable challenging the status
Confident executive presence.
J.D. is required
Engineering or science undergraduate degree is required.
Eligibility to practice before the Texas Bar required.
Eligible to take the examination to become registered to practice before the USPTO in patent matters.
Minimum of 5 years of progressively more responsible work experience in intellectual property law, preferably including related preparation / prosecution experience, demonstrated knowledge of patent law, and the ability to analyse / evaluate patents relating to oil field products and services.
Preferred:
Demonstrated success managing complex and competing organizational priorities in a fast-paced environment
Experience working with organizations with a global footprint
Undergraduate degree in electrical, mechanical or petroleum engineering is preferred
Experience with patent and trade secret litigation is preferred.
Registered to practice as an attorney before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in patent matters is preferred.
Experience with negotiating and drafting license agreements is preferred.
Prior work experience with oil and gas equipment and services is highly desired.