Patent Counsel

Location

Pittsburgh, PA | United States

Job description

With over 80 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace, earthworks, energy, general engineering and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Every day approximately 8,700 employees are helping customers in more than 60 countries stay competitive. Kennametal generated $2 billion in revenues in fiscal 2022. Learn more at . Follow @Kennametal: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Patent Counsel

Location - Prefer candidate in the Pittsburgh area, but would be open to regional candidate able to travel into Pittsburgh on a regular cadence. 

We are seeking a talented and experienced attorney to join Kennametal’s Intellectual Property team of the Office of the General Counsel. Reporting to the Senior IP Counsel, the Patent Counsel will play a critical role in developing and implementing strategies to protect Kennametal’s intellectual property assets.

The Patent Counsel acts as a business partner, and is a champion of the company’s mission, vision and values, and its cultural beliefs. The position will be responsible for researching and deploying best practices and legal advice on Intellectual Property with a focus on communication, integrity, and collaboration.

This position requires hands-on, practical approaches and a solid working knowledge of both U.S. and foreign Intellectual Property law.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice and counsel for intellectual property matters, including the protection, acquisition, disposition, enforcement, and licensing of intellectual property rights and related business issues.
• Participate in the development and implementation of strategies, programs and procedures to develop, protect, and maintain a global intellectual property portfolio while avoiding the valid intellectual property rights of others .
• Interview inventors to collect disclosure information.
• Conduct prior art searches, freedom to operate and infringement searches.
• Perform searches and render opinions concerning trademark clearance and use and registrability.
• Provide leadership in securing and maintaining meaningful worldwide IP protection.
• Evaluate and manage legal risk in areas of responsibility including analysis, advice, and status of all legal matters affecting Kennametal.
• Review product and technical literature and partner with Technology and business teams to protect Kennametal's intellectual property and comply with applicable laws.
• Work with outside counsel to ensure Kennametal receives high quality services in a timely and economical manner.

Education and Technical/Professional Experience

• At least 4 years’ relevant, substantive Intellectual Property law experience is required.
• A Bachelor of Science or advanced degree in mechanical engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, metallurgy or ceramics and a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and a State Bar, preferably Pennsylvania.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with desire and ability to contribute where needed, regardless of level.
• Proven business judgment and personal maturity to interact with and counsel business clients.
• Ability to work collaboratively, cross-functionally, and cross-culturally.
• Outstanding interpersonal, decision-making and communication (written and verbal) skills.
• Broad and critical thinking, with global perspective.

What are we looking for in a qualified candidate?

Someone who leverages exceptional interpersonal skills, including strong written and oral communications, excellent judgment, a high-quality orientation, with an ability to inspire trust and confidence with all relevant stakeholders.

Kennametal Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. As such, it is the policy of Kennametal Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, or other protected status, group, or characteristic under federal, state, and/or local law or regulation. It is Kennametal Inc.'s policy to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

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