Pfizer is seeking an experienced patent attorney to become a member of the Patent Department at the St. Louis, Missouri site. The attorney will handle a variety of intellectual property issues relating to research, development, and commercial activities in the inflammation therapeutic area. Job duties will include: preparing and prosecuting U.S. and PCT patent applications and directing the prosecution of foreign counterparts; rendering opinions on patentability, freedom-to-operate (patent clearance), infringement, and enforcement issues; performing patent due diligence studies for licensing opportunities; reviewing the IP provisions of agreements; counseling colleagues from various functional areas, ranging from R&D to commercial operations; and providing support as the product patent attorney for clinical candidates and products.

Qualifications:
The candidate preferably should hold an advanced degree in chemistry or chemical engineering (or possess an equivalent background by way of technical training or experience) as well as a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, be a member in good standing of a state bar, and be registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The candidate should also have at least five years professional experience with a law firm, corporate legal department, and/or the USPTO. Candidates that meet this threshold of experience by including full time work within a law firm or corporate legal department while attending law school at night will be considered. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively with scientific colleagues and be able to engage in strategic as well as tactical discussions.

In general, the candidate should have experience dealing with a diversity of IP matters, including patent preparation and prosecution, patent due diligence, and opinion/counseling matters (such as patentability and freedom-to-operate opinions).  More specifically, the candidate must have significant direct experience handling patent preparation and prosecution and associated opinion/counseling support.  A candidate with experience handling both small molecule and biologic matters will have an advantage.  The candidate should be a team-oriented self-starter with strong communication, analytical, computer, and organizational skills, be able to work under deadline pressures, and have keen attention to detail.  Candidates for this role will be chosen based on selection criteria that include IP product support and due diligence experience, customer driven focus, excellent technical background and legal skills, a proven ability to provide strong support for the business and an ability to proactively network with colleagues at various levels.

Level of position to be determined on the basis of the amount and type of experience possessed by the incumbent.

Contact:
To Apply: Please submit your resume by visiting www.pfizer.com/careers and entering requisition number 076975.

Additional Info:
Employer Type: Large Corporation
Job Location: St. Louis, MO