Legal Specialist

$60,400 - $88,800/Yr

Constellation Wines Us - Rochester, NY

Full-time - Mid Level

Hybrid - Rochester, NY

Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing

About the position

The Legal Specialist, Intellectual Property will manage the intellectual property portfolio for the beer, wine, and spirits divisions, under the supervision of the Associate General Counsel. This role involves monitoring and protecting trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets, as well as providing guidance to business units on intellectual property issues. The ideal candidate will have experience in the heavily regulated U.S. beverage alcohol industry and a strong background in intellectual property law, demonstrating a proactive and tech-savvy approach to their work.

Responsibilities

• Support the management of the company's worldwide trademark, copyright, and patent portfolio.
• Conduct and analyze preliminary trademark searches to determine availability of trademarks and product names.
• Plan, coordinate, and manage trademark filings, renewals, and assignments.
• Manage outside counsel in handling prosecution and enforcement of trademark, copyright, and patent applications.
• Monitor and manage IP deadlines and ensure timely filings.
• Manage IP enforcement actions, including trademark opposition and cancellation actions.
• Gather data to assist in defending against claims of infringement.
• Review watch notices and analyze for enforcement action.
• Conduct strategic analysis of label, packaging, advertising, and promotional materials for proper use of trademarks and copyrights.
• Collaborate with brand and innovation teams on intellectual property development.
• Provide litigation support in connection with intellectual property-related matters.
• Manage intake of new intellectual property-related contract requests and assist with preparation of licensing and other contractual documents.
• Support the Intellectual Property Team's day-to-day workflow by maintaining information in the Legal Department's matter management system.
• Track information in various databases and generate reports as needed.
• Develop, monitor, and report on metrics to track Intellectual Property Team matters.

Requirements

• Minimum five years relevant experience in a law firm required, experience in a corporate legal department strongly desired.
• Bachelor's degree required, a Paralegal Degree or Certificate strongly desired.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in IP law.
• Proficiency in IP docketing and management software.
• Strong familiarity with state and federal alcohol beverage laws and regulations very strongly desired.
• Experience with contracts involving intellectual property and other transactional matters.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience and background in marketing, advertising, trademark, and intellectual property law desired.
• Extensive Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat experience.
• SharePoint, OneDrive, workflow tool and document management software experience strongly preferred.

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Medical/dental/vision insurance
• 401(k)