Principal Counsel, IP

You will be part of a global legal team that is reimagining how we serve our clients. Avalara is an AI-first company with a vision to be part of every transaction for every business worldwide. Our shared mission is to make taxes and compliance less taxing. With a client service and business mindset, we use traits like adaptability, urgency, and ownership to bring Avalara closer to its goals.

As our Principal Counsel, IP you will lead and scale our global intellectual property program. This role is critical to protecting our software, brand, content, and new ideas pipeline. You have a growth mindset and are a pragmatic, business-minded attorney with experience across the IP lifecycle, including patents, trademarks, open source software, and trade secrets within a SaaS or technology organization. You will use generative AI in creative ways in your current practice. You will report to our VP, Associate General Counsel, Litigation and IP. This individual contributor position (no direct reports) is a remote position in the United States.

#LI-Remote

• 
  IP Strategy & Portfolio Management

  • Develop our global IP strategy according to our goals.

  • Manage patent and trademark portfolios, including prosecution, maintenance, and enforcement.

  • Maintain close business relationships and coordinate with engineering and product teams to identify innovations for protection.

• Transactional Support

  • Review and advise on IP-related provisions in commercial agreements (e.g., customer, M&A, partner, and vendor).

  • Advise on open-source use, compliance, and policy implementation.

• Enforcement & Risk Management

  • Manage IP disputes, including trademark oppositions and infringement matters.

• Collaboration

  • Partner with product, engineering, marketing, and business development to align IP protection with product and brand strategy.

  • Provide training on IP protection and best practices.

• 
  JD degree and active bar membership in good standing.

• 8+ years of experience, in technology, SaaS, or similar environments (in-house).

• You have expertise in U.S. and international IP law, in patents (technology-focused), trademarks, and copyright.

• You are comfortable using AI to work more efficiently and advising on the latest IP issues with AI technologies.

• You can collaborate with business clients to lead strategy and results.

• You have prior experience managing outside counsel, including experience in prosecution and enforcement.

The pay range above is the general base pay range for a successful candidate in the state listed. The
successful candidate’s actual salary/wage may be based on various factors, such as geographic
location, candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
This role is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance, depending on
the terms of the applicable plan and the employee’s role.

• You’ll bring experience using AI and AI-related technologies, ready to thrive here.
• You’ll AI every day to business challenges - improving efficiency, contributing solutions, and driving results for your team, our company, and our customers.
• You’ll grow with AI by staying curious about new trends and best practices, and by sharing what you learn so others can benefit too.