Legal Specialist - Intellectual Property (Legal)

Job Description

Position Summary: 

Legal Specialist, Intellectual Property will be responsible for the management of the intellectual property portfolio for the beer, wine and spirits divisions, under the supervision of the Associate General Counsel responsible for such matters.  Individual will assist in the general management of the company's intellectual property portfolio, including monitoring and protecting the trademarks, copyrights, and patents, searching and approving of new trademarks and trade dress, and providing guidance to business units related to various intellectual property issues. Ideal candidate will have experience working within the heavily regulated (federal, state and local) matrix of the U.S. beverage alcohol laws and substantive experience in intellectual property law.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and analyze preliminary trademark searches to help determine availability of trademarks, taglines, product names, and other consumer-facing content and update responses in legal departments' trademark application.
• Plan, coordinate and manage trademark filings, renewals and assignments.
• Managing, coordinating and communicating with outside counsel and internal stakeholders to ensure efficient IP workflows.
• As company liaison, establish and maintain positive working relationships with outside counsel and marketing teams in order to efficiently and effectively manage the trademark portfolio.
• Manage outside counsel in their handling of the day-to-day prosecution and enforcement of domestic and foreign trademark, copyright and patent applications, including working with business stakeholders to obtain evidence of use and other information needed for clearance, prosecution, and enforcement.
• Gather data to assist in defending against claims of infringement and prosecuting claims against 3rd party infringement, including coordination with outside counsel and internal clients.
• Provide litigation support in connection with intellectual property-related matters, including overseeing the management of trademark opposition and cancellation actions.
• Collaborating with brand and innovation teams on intellectual property development and management by assisting in identifying patentable inventions, providing background materials, and assisting with patent and trademark preparation and prosecution.
• Conduct strategic analysis of label, packaging, advertising and promotional materials for proper use of company's trademarks and copyrights.
• Collect data and update relevant information in the matter management system.
• Prepare, review and revise license agreements, coexistence agreements and settlement agreements.
• Prepare and monitor monthly/quarterly trademark and litigation reports.
• Assist with research and special projects, as needed.

Core Competencies to be Successful

• Knowledge and understanding of Constellation and the beverage alcohol industry
• Ability to work with all levels at Constellation and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies
• Ability to synthesize large amounts information and communicate guidance in digestible manner
• Professional, positive, can-do attitude
• Experience with contracts that involve intellectual property and other transactional matters.
• Excellent project management, organization, and communication skills
• Excellent relationship management skills
• Superlative knowledge and skills with using matter management and similar electronic systems
• High energy and strong work ethic
• Aptitude for identifying and implementing process improvements for work activities
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, including the ability to determine priorities and to timely complete projects and assignments
• High degree of accuracy, attention to detail

Recommended Qualifications:

• Minimum five years relevant experience in law firm required, experience in corporate legal department strongly desired.
• Technical Diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience (such as IP paralegal experience or paralegal certification).
• Notary certification.
• Strong familiarity with state and federal alcohol beverage laws and regulations very strongly desired.  Experience and background in marketing, advertising, trademark and intellectual property law desired. As importantly, the desire and ability to develop and refine such familiarity into expertise in the areas described above is essential.
• Demonstrated experience with intellectual property matters.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate well across all levels of the organization. Must have strong ability to work with both internal and external stakeholders. Must be able to identify substantive concerns, provide guidance where appropriate and escalate issues where appropriate. Must be able to think independently to develop and recommend viable solutions to problems and issues. 

• Must be detail-oriented with strong project management, organizational and interpersonal skills. Must be diligent with tasks follow-up and have the ability to adhere to strict deadlines. Must be committed to ensuring that the Legal Department is providing excellent business focused service with a focus on continued improvement. 
• Must be willing to work flexible hours as business needs dictate. Minimal travel required. 

ADA Physical/Mental/Workplace Requirements:

• Occasional lifting up to 25 lbs
• Sitting, working at desk/personal computer for extended periods of time
• Primary work environment is professional corporate office

Location

Victor, New York

Additional Locations

Chicago, Illinois, Field Office - Washington DC

Job Type

Full time

Job Area

Legal & Public Affairs

Equal Opportunity

Constellation Brands is committed to a continuing program of equal employment opportunity. All persons have equal employment opportunities with Constellation Brands, regardless of their sex, race, color, age, religion, creed, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics), marital status, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), familial status, military or veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related conditions (or any other group or category within the framework of the applicable discrimination laws and regulations).