Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.

Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.

We are seeking an Intellectual Property Counsel for our First Quality Enterprise working remotely. This position will provide a full range of IP counseling services with specific emphasis on strategic patent development and execution, as well as risk assessment and management of complex IP and product regulatory legal issues.

Primary responsibilities include:

Provide a full range of senior-level IP counseling to a variety of business units and R&D groups, including hands-on involvement in the procurement of IP rights that support their development and commercial plans.
Conduct preliminary patent and trademark research.
Coordinate trademark filing and maintenance.
Develop and execute business-focused patent strategies to enhance marketplace positions.
Manage and direct outside counsel activities relating to the drafting, filing and prosecution of patent applications. Providing initial drafts and/or direction on office action responses.
Review and analyze third-party patents and prepare, or oversee the preparation of, freedom-to-operate opinions and advise the business on any associated risks.
Conduct IP training for internal R&D and business associates.
Prepare confidentiality agreements, joint development agreements and IP clauses contained in commercial contracts.
Establish and maintain a detailed knowledge of the commercial and technology development strategies of the various businesses
Stay abreast of the patent positions being established by key competitors.
Review product regulatory and compliance requirements and coordinate as necessary to effectuate compliance.
Understanding of trade dress and ability to review for potential risks.
Conduct review and approve of marketing and packaging materials for compliance and intellectual property issues.
Drafting of patent applications may be required.

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

Minimum of 7 years of proven experience working on a wide range of IP and product related legal matters in a law firm or corporate setting, including patent preparation and prosecution, opinion work, agreement work and handling trade secret matters. Exposure to trademark law a plus.
J.D. degree and a member in good standing of at least one state bar and registered to practice before the USPTO. An undergraduate degree in engineering, chemistry or similar discipline preferred.
Demonstrated high integrity and ethics in all dealings, non-political in conduct, while understanding internal and external dynamics.
Business-focused individual with a proven ability to add value through the development and execution of strategic IP initiatives. Must approach IP with a strategic mindset by anticipating future business, competitive and legal risks.
Demonstrated ability to identify and explain risks or impediments to the business brought about by IP-related issues and in developing and clearly and concisely articulating strategies for overcoming these issues.
Partners effectively with relevant stakeholders at all levels of the organization and across all phases of product development & commercialization offering creative solutions to complex technical and legal issues.
Must possess exceptional problem solving and work-load management skills, along with the ability and agility to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and consistently meet deadlines. In addition to top-notch legal skills and a strong ethical center, must also have excellent interpersonal, strategic thinking, communication, and organizational skills.
Some exposure to IP litigation a plus.
Compliance and regulatory experience preferred

What We Offer You

We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:

Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
Paid time off (three-week minimum)
Medical, dental and vision starting day one
401(k) with employer match
Paid parental leave
Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)
Bundle of joy benefit (year's worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
Tuition assistance
Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums
...and more!

First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.