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Job Function:
Legal & ComplianceJob Sub Function:
Law Business PartnersJob Category:
ProfessionalAll Job Posting Locations:
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America, San Diego, California, United States of America, Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of AmericaJob Description:
We are searching for the best talent for Senior Patent Counsel to join our Global Legal Organization located in San Diego, CA; Cambridge, MA; Spring House, PA; or New Brunswick, NJ.
As Senior Patent Counsel, you will join a collegial team supporting Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine’s Neuroscience Therapeutic Area, with opportunities to contribute across other therapeutic areas. This role offers a dynamic blend of strategic intellectual property work, stakeholder engagement, and professional growth within a leading multinational pharmaceutical company.
About Neuroscience
Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow.
Our Neuroscience team tackles the world’s toughest brain health challenges including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, myasthenia gravis, epilepsy, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism. This patient-focused team helps address some of the most complex diseases of our time.
Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.
Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine
Key Responsibilities
This role will provide business strategy-aligned support through frequent stakeholder interaction and by:
- Drafting and prosecuting patent applications;
- Advising the business on patent and regulatory exclusivity strategy;
- Reviewing, drafting, and advising the business on IP-related contracts;
- Partnering with the litigation department in patent-related litigations and disputes;
- Conducting third-party and reverse patent due diligence;
- Educating stakeholders on IP-related topics.
Key attributes:
- Strong interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence.
- Ability to convey complex legal issues clearly and concisely to all organizational levels and business functions.
- Effective time management and sound judgment in prioritizing tasks.
- Intellectual curiosity and perseverance.
- Ability to work effectively across business functions, cultures, and multiple time zones. San Diego candidates must be able to accommodate frequent early morning video conferences (typically starting at 7 AM).
Qualifications
- A J.D. or LL.M. with admission to and good standing with the bar of one state or the District of Columbia is required. Admission to the USPTO is required.
- Degree in molecular biology or related field. Graduate degree (MS or PhD) is preferred.
- Five or more years of experience drafting and prosecuting biologics (large molecule pharmaceuticals) patent applications at a law firm or legal department of a multinational corporation.
- The following are not required, but would be an advantage:
- Experience in one or more of the following areas: patent due diligence; patent-related disputes; non-infringement opinions; advising on regulatory exclusivity strategies; or patent license drafting or counseling.
- Ability to provide IP support for data/software related innovations, siRNA, small molecule pharmaceuticals, or drug/device combinations.
Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, external applicants please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers .Internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.
#LI-Hybrid
Required Skills:
Preferred Skills:
Business Agility, Collaborating, Commercial Laws, Compliance Management, Corporate Governance, Dispute Resolution, Lawyering, Legal Documents Preparation, Legal Services, Negotiation, Process Improvements, Representing, Risk Management, Strategic Thinking, Tactical Planning, Technical CredibilityThe anticipated base pay range for this position is :
$150,000.00 - $258,750.00Additional Description for Pay Transparency:
Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program.
Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:
Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period10 days
Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: - https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits
Skills Required
- J.D. or LL.M. with admission to bar of one state
- Admission to the USPTO
- Degree in molecular biology or related field
- Five or more years of patent application experience
- Experience in patent due diligence or related disputes
Johnson & Johnson Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Johnson & Johnson and has not been reviewed or approved by Johnson & Johnson.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is characterized as comprehensive across medical, dental, and vision, with added supports like onsite clinics, fitness centers, and Employee Assistance resources. Mental-health services and wellbeing reimbursements are also described as meaningful components of the overall package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings are portrayed as a major differentiator, combining a 401(k) with employer matching and an employer-funded pension plan. Stock options and other long-term financial supports are also positioned as part of the broader rewards mix.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-related benefits are presented as notably strong, including paid parental leave for all new parents and additional leave types for caregiving and bereavement. Financial assistance for adoption, fertility treatment, and surrogacy is highlighted as a significant support.
Johnson & Johnson Insights
What We Do
Profound Change Requires Boldness. Johnson & Johnson is the largest and most broadly based healthcare company in the world. We’re producing life-changing breakthroughs every day, and have been for the last 130 years. The combination of new technologies and your expertise enables amazing things to happen. Teams from J&J’s consumer business are creating digital tools to help people track the health of their skin. Those working in medical devices are 3-D printing artificial joints personalized for each patient, while researchers in pharmaceuticals use AI to discover lifesaving drugs. Imagine what the rest of our team of 134,000 people at 260 companies in more than 60 countries across the world is accomplishing. We redefine what it means to be a big company in today’s world. Social Media Community Guidelines: http://www.jnj.com/social-media-community-guidelines








