IP Counsel, Patents

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic IP Counsel to join our growing legal team. In this role, you will provide comprehensive IP guidance across the organization, with particular depth in patent strategy. You will work closely with our product, research, and technical teams to help support Anthropic's organic patent portfolio development while also advising on the full spectrum of IP matters. You will partner closely with the Head of IP and other IP legal colleagues to help design and implement an IP program that protects Anthropic's innovations, supports the company's growth, and is aligned with the company’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Support and contribute to our organic patent development process, including invention harvesting, drafting oversight, prosecution management, and coordination with outside counsel
• Partner in developing and implementing comprehensive patent strategies in the U.S. and internationally that align with Anthropic's business objectives and technology roadmap
• Provide broad IP guidance across the organization, with the ability to identify and address potential IP issues across patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and open source
• Support analysis and response to third-party patent demands, and evaluate strategic patent acquisition and licensing opportunities
• Conduct IP due diligence for M&A transactions and strategic partnerships
• Advise on IP aspects of commercial agreements, including licenses, joint development agreements, and technology transfers, educating technical teams on best practices to protect Anthropic's innovations

Minimum qualifications

• Hold a JD and are an active member of at least one U.S. state bar
• Are registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• Have substantial patent experience, including invention harvesting, prosecution, and portfolio development, along with working knowledge of the broader IP spectrum, including trademarks, trade secrets, and open source
• Have worked directly with engineers, researchers, or product teams to identify and protect inventions, and can explain IP concepts clearly to people who aren't lawyers
• Have contributed to and helped implement IP strategies in a rapidly evolving technical environments
• Experience balancing legal protection with business practicality in a collaborative setting

Preferred qualifications

• 10+ years of legal experience with demonstrated expertise across the IP spectrum particularly in patents
• Active membership in the California bar
• Advanced degree in computer science, engineering, or a related technical field
• Deep expertise in one or more IP areas beyond patents
• Experience with AI, machine learning, or related cutting-edge technologies
• Experience analyzing and responding to third-party patent assertions, or evaluating patent acquisitions and licensing transactions
• Experience practicing in-house at a technology company, or otherwise supporting technology clients through periods of rapid growth