Company Description

Square builds common business tools in unconventional ways so more people can start, run, and grow their businesses. When Square started, it was difficult and expensive (or just plain impossible) for some businesses to take credit cards. Square made credit card payments possible for all by turning a mobile phone into a credit card reader. Since then Square has been building an entire business toolkit of both hardware and software products including Square Capital, Square Terminal, Square Payroll, and more. We’re working to find new and better ways to help businesses succeed on their own terms—and we’re looking for people like you to help shape tomorrow at Square.

Job Description

Square is looking for an attorney with a passion for all things patents to join our legal organization. You will counsel engineers and business leaders on a wide array of patent-related and other technology issues. You will also work with internal patent professionals and outside counsel to manage Seller's patent portfolio. You will report to the Patents Lead.

You will:

• Build a strategic and defensive patent portfolio spanning multiple product and solution categories for Square's Seller business unit, with focus on invention identification and harvesting, strategic benchmarking, global portfolio growth, and collaboration with outside counsel on patent application preparation and prosecution

• Work with our patent operations team to manage processes for Square's patent portfolio, including patent incentives, IDS filings, and docket management

• Help develop analytical tools and solutions to help shape Square's patent portfolio strategy, build smarter patent preparation and prosecution capabilities, and evaluate patent assets

• Learn Square's existing and planned products, business activities, and R&D in the context of IP risks as they relate to competitor activities, industry trends, best practices, and laws and regulations

• Work with our litigation counsel on patent dispute matters

• Perform IP due diligence and advise on IP risks in M&A and other commercial transactions

• Work with technical and commercial teams to identify patent opportunities, craft and negotiate lP terms, mitigate potential patent-related risks, educate on IP matters, and recommend solutions/best practices

• Help create content for the team's educational and outreach communications within and outside Square

• Be a source of knowledge on judicial and legislative developments relating to patents and advise Square and the team on proactive measures relating to our IP preparation and prosecution practices

Qualifications

You have:

• JD degree and membership in at least one state bar

• Admission to the USPTO Bar

• Undergraduate degree in a technical field, preferably in computer science, electrical engineering, software engineering, or related fields

• Minimum of six years of relevant patent preparation and prosecution experience with US, preferably with some in-house experience. Knowledge of and experience working on EP patents is a strong plus

• Fluency in communicating legal concepts, issues and risks

• Experience with patent litigation, and in other IP disciplines such as copyrights, trademarks, open source, and trade secrets would be desirable

Additional Information

At Square, we value diversity and always treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Applicants in need of special assistance or accommodation during the interview process or in accessing our website may contact us by sending an email to assistance(at)squareup.com. We will treat your request as confidentially as possible. In your email, please include your name and preferred method of contact, and we will respond as soon as possible.
Perks
At Square, we want you to be well and thrive. Our global benefits package includes:

• Healthcare coverage
• Retirement Plans
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Wellness perks
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Learning and Development resources