Legal Counsel - Intellectual Property

POSITION OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE :

Fresenius Medical Care, an EUR 19 billion company and largest kidney care provider in the world, is seeking a Legal Counsel - Intellectual Property (m/f/d) to join our Global Legal Intellectual Property Team. Legal Counsel - Intellectual Property (m/f/d) will be responsible for providing patent law and employee invention law advice and support to inventors and business unit managers in one area.

We are looking for a Master's degree in natural sciences, preferably physics, engineering or computer science for the position of a Patent Officer - Intellectual Patent Counsel, in particular for the area of "Digital Transformation and Digitalization".

Professional experience in a patent law firm or an IP department of an industrial company is helpful, but not a prerequisite. Suitable applicants may be trained on the job.

WHAT WE OFFER:

We believe: Meaningful work must also be rewarded. That's why we offer you a wide range of services and benefits, including pension plans, healthcare and career development. However, we provide much more than that for the satisfaction of our employees. For example, showing appreciation for one another as an integral part of our corporate culture. Or flexible working hours to fit with your personal life.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Providing patent law and employee invention law advice and support to inventors and business unit managers in one area

• Preparation of decisions for patent applications for the relevant committees

• Determining the value of intellectual property rights and identifying potential exploitation/licensing activities

• Working closely with the research & development, patent, production and sales departments in cross-functional teams

• Working on projects to identify infringements of Fresenius Medical Care's IP by third parties as well as research, evaluation and enforcement

• Independent preparation of applications for all industrial property rights and in cooperation with external attorneys

• Cooperation with external patent attorneys in Germany and abroad in proceedings before offices and courts

• Co-drafting of license and cooperation agreements;

• Conducting opposition and nullity proceedings

• Actively tracking down patentable development results; identifying development trends among important competitors

• Freedom to Operate searches

• Developing an in-depth technical understanding of proprietary products and competitors

• Analyzing and researching IP for defined technology fields in the broader dialysis environment and Fresenius Medical Care business areas

EDUCATION:

• sound technical education in the field of physics, electrical engineering or computer science as a prerequisite

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Sound knowledge in the field of digital transformation and digitization

• Knowledge of IP legislation and case law, preferably also in non-European jurisdictions helpful, but not a prerequisite

• Interest in intellectual property, especially in the field of digital products

• Proactive approach and willingness to take on responsibility

• Careful, efficient and goal-oriented approach

• Interest and pleasure in dealing with laws and guidelines at an international level

• Ability and willingness to quickly familiarize yourself with technical areas and issues not previously dealt with

• Team-oriented and communicative

• Strong in presentation and persuasion

• Service-oriented, resilient and flexible

• Enjoy working in an international environment

• very good written and spoken English language skills

• very good MS-Office

• Understanding in dealing with patent databases helpful