What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior IP Counsel APAC position at Archer Daniels Midland?
The Role
- To meet the growing needs for IP support in APAC, and to ensure regional IP matters are managed in a way (i) consistent with ADM’s Global IP procedures, (ii) satisfying regional business needs, and (iii) compliant with local laws and regulations.
- To serve as the lead APAC IP legal advisor responsible for IP protection, commercialization, licensing, innovation and enforcement initiatives across the APAC region.
- Reporting to: Senior Legal Counsel, Human Nutrition APAC; dotted line to Chief IP Counsel
- Act as primary liaison between APAC businesses and the Global IP Team to localize group IP-related policy and guidelines in alignment with Global IP Team, vet and endorse regional initiatives and implement risk management strategies;
- Manage IP licensing activities across APAC, including respond to internal IP-related inquiries in alignment with global guidelines and escalating to Global IP leadership as needed, reviewing marketing material, support strategic customer negotiations, policy implementation and localization, compliance oversight, and stakeholder management;
- Work with APAC Legal Team and Global IP Team to draft, review, and negotiate IP contracts and IP clauses in other contracts or legal documents;
- Develop, update, and maintain standard IP contract templates in alignment with Global IP policies;
- Support R&D and commercialization projects, lead and guide patent prosecution based on APAC innovation, and keep Global IP Team updated on project progress and developments;
- Assist Global IP Team with trademark application and maintenance in the APAC region;
- Lead investigations and enforcement actions relating to trademark infringement, patent infringement, counterfeit activities, unfair competition and other IP disputes;
- Develop and manage external IP counsel across APAC, including matter strategy, budgeting, fee negotiations and performance management;
- Work with regional BU counsels to provide legal advice and counselling to internal and external stakeholders in alignment with global guidelines as applicable;
- Prepare and deliver IP trainings according to business needs;
- Coordinate with HQ/NAM/EMEA/LATAM IP/Legal teams where necessary, including using the global trademark and patent docketing communication platforms for all trademark and patent matters in APAC (prosecution, enforcement and transactions) and attending monthly or quarterly global trademark and patent team calls.
- Minimal 7 years PQE with IP experience for both trademark and patent in top tier law firms and/or MNCs;
- LLB or LLM from reputable law school, passed Bar examination in China or other jurisdictions;
- Patent bar in China or other jurisdictions. Patent prosecution experience will be a plus, but not a must;
- Litigation experience will be a plus;
- Regional exposure will be a plus, overseas education and/or working experience will be a plus;
- Excellent communication skills, able to explain complex IP issues in business terms;
- Able to handle pressure, and have business sense and capability to develop and maintain a good relationship with internal and external stakeholders, and drive desirable outcomes through influence;
- A creative problem solver, open to new ideas and new approaches;
- High degree of organizational ability and be able to prioritize matters efficiently;
- Highest ethical standards and strong integrity;
- Fluent in both verbal and written English and Chinese;
- Willing to work non-standard hours due to time zone differences.