Counsel

Summary:

This position works within the Legal department of Cotton Incorporated to provide various legal services and consultation to internal staff. Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating a wide array of contracts, including reviewing and negotiating contracts drafted by third parties. Additionally, this position has shared responsibility with Senior Counsel for global trademark portfolio management and strategy, trademark opposition/defense through outside counsel, limited domestic trademark filing and prosecution, and counseling. Please see our full ad and apply online at www.careerbuilder.com (keyword search: Cotton Incorporated).

Core Functions:

• Draft, negotiate, interpret, and provide counsel on companywide contracts including but not limited to: facility use, service, and consulting; equipment leasing and purchasing; confidential disclosure; collaborative research; promotional; trademark, technology commercialization and copyright licenses

• Communicate and collaborate with internal stakeholders on effective legal strategies on a case-by-case basis

• Research and evaluate risk factors regarding business decisions and operations

• Investigate potential trademark/copyright infringement matters and send cease and desist letters

• Provide occasional counsel and training throughout company on contractual matters and proper trademark usage

• Co-manage the global trademark portfolio, including limited domestic trademark filing and prosecution, trademark opposition/defense through outside counsel, strategy, and counseling

• Co-manage the global patent portfolio and coordinate with outside patent counsel

• Monitor changes in legislation impacting the business environment

• Support and work cooperatively with various departments on key projects as assigned

Job Requirements:

• Juris Doctorate degree with an active membership in at least one state bar – NC Bar, preferred

• Registered patent and trademark practitioner

• 12 years’ relevant work experience in contract law, drafting, review, and negotiation

• Experience in patent and trademark law

• Strong knowledge of contract law, trademark law, patents, trade secrets, and copyright knowledge

• Familiarity with working in regulatory environments (FTC and/or USDA experience, a plus)

• Ability to research, interpret and apply statutes, rules, and regulations relative to work; analyze facts and draw legal conclusions

• High degree of professional ethics and integrity

• Professional written and verbal communication (with a demonstrable quality of work)

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality

• Strong organizational skills with strict attention to detail

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize accordingly

• Motivated self-starter with a strong work ethic, professional enthusiasm, and customer service focus

• Ability to work independently and within a team to meet deadlines and accomplish goals

• Ability to communicate and effectively interact with multiple levels of internal business partners and external contacts via e-mail, in-person, and over the telephone

• Proficiency in Microsoft® Office Suite (particularly Word and Excel)

• This position requires domestic and international travel up to 5% of the time

Working Conditions / Physical Demands:

• General office environment with quiet to moderate noise level

• Varied working conditions off-site due to travel

• Business casual dress clothes required

• Regularly required to sit and use hands to type and grasp, with frequent standing, walking, and bending/twisting at the neck/waist

• Occasionally required to push, pull, and reach above/below shoulder level

• Frequently required to lift and/or carry up to 20 pounds

• Frequently required to have face-to-face and telephone interaction with internal staff and external contacts

• Specific vision requirements include close vision, color vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus

Cotton Incorporated is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This Employer participates in E-Verify.