IP Legal Counsel

About the role

Alcon is seeking an IP Legal Counsel to join its Legal and Compliance team in Fort Worth, TX. You will be responsible for protecting the company’s intellectual property across ophthalmic materials, medical devices, and manufacturing technologies. This role offers the chance to work on a global patent portfolio and collaborate with R&D, commercial, and senior leadership teams.

Key responsibilities

• Manage invention disclosures, conduct inventor interviews, and present findings to the patent committee.
• Prepare, prosecute, and manage Alcon’s global patent portfolio, including direct filings before the USPTO.
• Oversee outside counsel to ensure quality, cost‑effectiveness, and alignment with IP strategy.
• Conduct due‑diligence, freedom‑to‑operate, and competitor IP assessments for product development, M&A, and licensing.
• Provide legal guidance on IP‑related agreements such as R&D, confidentiality, license, and consulting contracts.
• Support IP litigation and administrative patent proceedings, including reexaminations and oppositions.
• Deliver internal training on IP capture, patent strategy, trade‑secret protection, and related processes.
• Offer input on IP considerations for regulatory, marketing, and promotional materials.

Required profile

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school with strong academic performance.
• Admission to at least one U.S. state bar and registration to practice before the USPTO.
• 7+ years of relevant experience in IP law, preferably in the medical device or pharmaceutical sector.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate fluently in English.

Required skills

• Patent prosecution and portfolio management.
• Freedom‑to‑operate and due‑diligence analysis.
• Negotiation of IP‑related agreements.
• Collaboration with cross‑functional R&D and commercial teams.