Counsel, Patents & IP

The role

This person will manage the patent portfolio and drive patent strategy. They will advise on open source, review technical publications, and serve as an IP advisor across the business.

What you will do

• Own the patent portfolio end to end including invention harvesting, disclosure meetings, portfolio mining, and directing outside counsel.
• Drive patent strategy and decisions on filing, continuation, and abandonment.
• Counsel and collaborate with engineering on open source license review and approval.
• Review papers, blog posts, conference talks, and other public technical disclosures.
• Provide strategic and portfolio advice and counsel stakeholders on protecting and defending IP rights worldwide.
• Support IP diligence for partnerships, M&A, and vendor relationships.
• Train and educate product and engineering teams in intellectual property matters.
• Build tools, policies, and processes that scale with the business.

Required qualifications

• 5+ years of patent prosecution experience in a relevant area
• Experience advising on open source license compliance
• Member of the Patent Bar
• Substantial understanding of patent law outside of litigation
• Proactive, self-directed, detail oriented, organized, and have exceptional communication skills
• Adaptable and positive under shifting priorities
• Demonstrate AI fluency and comfort using AI tools in day-to-day work
• JD required
• BS or MS in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent technical field
• State bar membership
• Eligible to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office
• Sense of humor and comfort with shifting priorities

Nice to have

• in-house patent portfolio building/management experience

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• Mental health benefits
• Family building benefits
• Child care and pet benefits
• 401(k) plan with company match
• 12 observed holidays
• Discretionary paid time off for salaried team members
• 15 days paid time off for hourly team members
• 18 weeks of paid parental leave
• Subsidized commuter benefits
• Monthly Lyft credits
• Complimentary Lyft Pink membership

About the company

Lyft aims to serve and connect by cultivating a work environment where all team members belong and have the opportunity to thrive.