US-Remote

The Red Hat Legal team is looking for a Patent Attorney to join the Intellectual Property (IP) team. In this role, you will be responsible for the day–to–day management of Red Hat's Patent Program, including supervision of Red Hat's Patent Paralegal. As a key member of the IP team, you will need a combination of software–based patent prosecution and open source licensing experience, a software technology background, an innovative spirit, and a passion for defending the open source mission. You will report to Red Hat's Senior Director and Assistant General Counsel for IP.

As a Patent Attorney, you will ensure Red Hat files and prosecutes top–quality, strategic patent applications. You will also manage the quality of patent prosecution work and other patent–related projects performed by outside counsel and external IP vendors. You'll need to have particular strengths in reviewing patent claims, critical thinking, communication, and analysis. This is an outstanding opportunity to work with a variety of experienced legal professionals, engineers, and developers in a fast–paced setting.

Candidates who live within commuting distance of a Red Hat office in the greater Raleigh, Washington DC, and Boston areas are preferred.

• Manage all aspects of patent prosecution by outside counsel, including assignment and quality of work, level of service, adherence to policies, policy exception requests, and syncing on current events and prosecution trends
• Perform quality reviews of draft patent applications
• Manage the strategy, volume, and quality of invention disclosures generated via mining sessions, directed inventing, inventor education, incentives, and objectives
• Provide support and counsel to R&D on IP–related issues, including freedom–to–operate, standards participation, and joint development
• Make filing decisions on submitted invention disclosures
• Conduct patent training sessions for engineers in various technology areas
• Advise and update management on patent program strategy, initiatives, and goals
• Analyze patent portfolio to make maintenance and annuity fee decisions
• Plan and project our annual budget for patent expenses; track, analyze, and report patent expenses
• Develop and implement programs to promote diversity and inclusion of Red Hat inventors
• Analyze the defensive capabilities of Red Hat's patent portfolio and support third–party patent–related alliances and organizations
• Assist with patent litigation as needed; also assist with patent licensing, patent assurance, and M&A due diligence

• J.D. from a respected law school with excellent academic credentials and admission to practice law in at least one jurisdiction
• 3+ years relevant experience in all aspects of patent prosecution practice
• Registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office
• Technical background in software, such as a bachelor's degree in computer science or electrical/computer engineering, or programming experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail, and analytical skills
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to effectively manage the details of highly confidential and critical company projects
• Creative problem–solving skills with a focus on achieving results that benefit our business while recognizing client needs
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with external vendors
• Highly organized, with ability to take ownership, set priorities, multitask, and meet deadlines in a dynamic and fast–paced environment

The following are considered a plus:

• Combined experience from a well–regarded law firm and in–house practice
• Deep knowledge of and experience with open source software
• IT industry experience
• Demonstrated passion for software, IP, and open source licensing issues
• Experience with a patent asset management system
• Knowledge of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office administrative practices, including Private PAIR