PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANIZATION:

Responsible to enhance the patent portfolio of adidas and for counseling the adidas business on patent and related matters. 

KEY RESPONSABILITIES: 

•    Supporting the management of the Company’s patent portfolios, including the management of the external law firms responsible for the filing and prosecution.
•    Developing close positive relationships through daily contact with Company technical groups with respect to patent matters.
•    Patent clearance.
•    Development of prior art resources.
•    Patent watching, in particular competitor patents.
•    Supporting marketing and design departments with respect to patent matters.
•    Counseling with respect to patent matters.
•    Assisting management of outside counsel.
•    Assisting management of patent-related litigation including oversight of outside counsel.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

•    Internally – Research and Development groups, Marketing and Design groups, Intellectual Property department.
•    Externally – outside counsel (US and international)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

•    Preference for mechanical engineering background and experience in patent matters.  
•    Excellent communication skills with the ability to interact with clients at all levels from most senior to most junior, but especially with Company technical groups.
•    Strong written and verbal communications skills required. 
•    Ability to work independently in area of expertise. 
•    Strong team player. 
•    Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

•    Partially/Fully qualified European Patent Attorney
•    5+ years law firm or in-house experience practicing in patents, including patent prosecution.
•    Preferably experience with multinational companies.