Contracts and Intellectual Property Paralegal

Position Summary:

This position is a dual role with a common skill set. The Contracts role facilitates contract and functions between Cadwell and our medical facility-based customers. The Intellectual Property role facilitates the protection and maintenance of Cadwell's trademarks and patents.

Contract Duties / Responsibilities

• Support a high-volume legal department in matters including contract drafting and redlining. Contracts include BAA, NDA, GPO, MPA, ISAs and more
• Identify opportunities to streamline and improve processes and drive implementation through multidepartment collaboration and coordination
• Ensure prioritization of high-level legal matters
• Review and redline contract language to conform with acceptable terms and conditions
• Work with Contract Manager, legal counsel and cross-functional internal personnel to maintain an appropriate contracts strategy suiting the needs of the business
• Execute contracts and ensure that pricing, terms, and conditions are accurately communicated and reflected in the appropriate internal systems.
• Exhibit excellent decision-making skills in resolving conflict or differences that arise in the negotiation of new or existing agreements.
• Work with internal personnel and external customers to negotiate terms and conditions.
• Provide regular reporting to senior management on high level contract issues.
• Serve as internal contract management system point of contact and expert.
• Work with Sales on RFPs and bids

Intellectual Property Duties / Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies for domestic and international protection and management of the company's trademark and patent portfolios.
• Oversee the filing, maintenance, and renewal of trademark of patent and trademark applications including expenses related to filings, litigation and renewals
• Evaluate the effectiveness and provide guidance on trademark issues and strategies to internal stakeholders, including senior leadership.
• Lead the preparation and filing of new trademark and patent applications, ensuring timely and accurate submissions in coordination with external legal counsel.
• Oversee trademark oppositions, cancellation, and other proceedings related to the protection of company trademarks.
• Lead efforts to monitor the market for potential intellectual property infringements and proactively work with external legal counsel to enforce the trademark and patent rights.
• Develop and manage enforcement strategies, including cease-and-desist letters, negotiations, and litigation if necessary in concert with external legal counsel.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g. marketing, product management, R&D) to ensure alignment and support on intellectual property matters.
• Develop and conduct training on intellectual property policies, procedures and best practices for internal teams.
• Prepare and present periodic reports on the status of the intellectual property portfolio, highlighting key milestones and potential risks.
• Oversee the process of trademark analysis, clearance and search, advising on the registrability and risk associated with new marks i

Education / Experience:

• 5 years' experience with commercial contract preparation, administration, contract negotiations, cost/price analysis, contract administration. Thorough knowledge of all appropriate ethical standards regarding contracting actions. Healthcare industry contracting experience is highly desired.
• Bachelor's Degree and paralegal or contracts, intellectual property experience in business or related field; 4 years of directly related experience may be substituted for the educational requirement
• Contract Management Certification or Paralegal certificate required.
• Prior corporate paralegal, intellectual property or contracts manager experience
• Demonstrated experience in working independently to identify, analyze and solve problems with creative solutions and minimum supervision
• Experience with trademark and patent processes and requirements is a bonus.

Job Knowledge / Requirements:

• Must be highly organized, have exceptional attention to detail, and excellent written and verbal communication skills. Complete work both independently and as an effective member of the team, adapting to changing requirements, deadlines, and priorities as needed
• Self Starter
• Competency in computer skills: MS Office and Google; Clickup
• Strong project management and multitasking abilities.
• Critical success criteria include an organized approach to work, effective time management, initiative in seeking answers and educating self about situations
• Must be able to summarize complex situations, convey to decision makers and have excellent judgment skills, knowing when to seek input
• Communicate across the company at all levels of hierarchy and with external legal counsel with professionalism and good judgement.
• Gather and analyze information, explore options for action, present pros and cons for action in novel situations
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.