Digital Technology IP Attorney
SLB · Houston, TX
- On site
- Full-time
- $150,000 / year
- Houston, TX
Job highlights
- Protect software and digital product IP.
- Draft and prosecute patent applications.
- Negotiate technology-related agreements.
- Advise on IP risks and compliance.
- Collaborate with engineering teams.
About the role
Digital Technology IP Attorney
The Digital IP Attorney serves as an integral member of multiple software-related technology development centers focused on developing software supporting wellsite (drilling and production) operations and services for subsurface characterization and oilfield services planning. This role provides IP legal services and advice in support of software and digital product offerings development. The successful candidate will have strong experience in patent drafting and prosecution, overall intellectual property protection, technology-related agreements, intellectual property analysis, and providing guidance to technical persons and business management regarding intellectual property. The right candidate will enjoy learning about developing complicated technologies in a dynamic environment and will be able to perform independently. The right candidate will be a self-starter with a team attitude and be able to anticipate IP needs and partner with engineering to secure a competitive advantage and protect disruptive technologies.
Given the software-intensive nature of this position, highly qualified candidates will have technology industry experience in software or other technology companies developing software products that are deployed via traditional desktop environments, as well as via SaaS and multi-tenancy cloud deployment environments.
Prior work experience bonuses include direct engineering experience before law school, and any in-house experience at software-intensive enterprises. Helpful post-legal qualification experience includes IP litigation and IP transactional work.
Roles And Responsibilities
- Responsible for an Intellectual Property docket with an emphasis on new technology development, including risk identification and mitigation for legal compliance during the software development process, including: data use and residency, data privacy laws, open source software concerns, artificial intelligence and machine learning governance, international trade control issues related to software.
- Prepares and prosecutes patent applications for patent portfolio, including managing foreign filings.
- Drafts and negotiates development agreements, confidentiality agreements, collaboration agreements, and consulting agreements with customers, as well as our vendors.
- Provides IP review and analysis through all phases of project development.
- Partners with developers to secure invention disclosures.
- Conducts intellectual property training, advises management on IP legal issues and Company policies.
- Supports IP counsel in enforcement matters involving the technology center.
- Interacts and collaborates with IP professionals in other locations.
- Monitors and landscapes intellectual property activity in relevant technology areas.
- Participates in the Legal Department training and development initiatives.
Qualifications And Experience
- Law degree (JD or equivalent) and member of good standing in at least one state or the District of Columbia Bar.
- Registration to practice in patent matters before the USPTO.
- University technical degree required, preferably in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, geology, geophysics, applied mathematics, or physics.
- Preference is for a candidate with 4-7 years of experience after law school, working primarily with patent prosecution, patent law, and technology-related agreements and transactions.
- Substantive litigation experience beyond simple lit support is a well-considered plus.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple simultaneous projects effectively.
- Candidates must be able to legally work and reside in the US without sponsorship.
- Experience working for or representing a multinational company preferred.
- Previous experience working with oil and gas technology preferred.
- Ability to travel internationally on an occasional basis is nearly essential.
Key skills/competency
- Intellectual Property Law
- Patent Prosecution
- Technology Agreements
- Software IP
- IP Strategy
- Risk Mitigation
- Legal Compliance
- Patent Drafting
- Invention Disclosures
- AI/ML Governance
Skills & topics
- Digital IP Attorney
- Intellectual Property Law
- Patent Prosecution
- Technology Agreements
- Software IP
- IP Strategy
- Risk Management
- Legal Compliance
- Patent Drafting
- AI Governance
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- SaaS
- Cloud Computing
- JD
- USPTO
- Oil and Gas
- International Trade
- Privacy Law
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your experience in patent drafting, prosecution, and technology agreements, specifically for software and digital products.
- Showcase technical expertise: Emphasize your university technical degree and any direct engineering experience, particularly in computer science or related fields.
- Demonstrate IP knowledge: Clearly articulate your understanding of IP analysis, risk mitigation, and compliance in software development, including AI/ML and data privacy.
- Highlight relevant experience: Mention any in-house experience, IP litigation, or transactional work, and your ability to work independently and in a team.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss complex technologies and how you anticipate and protect IP needs in a dynamic environment.
Technical preparation
Review patent law and prosecution procedures.,Study software development and deployment models.,Familiarize yourself with AI/ML and data privacy laws.,Understand technology agreement negotiation tactics.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex technology you've protected.,How do you manage IP risks in software projects?,How do you collaborate with technical teams?,Discuss a time you worked independently.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key IP responsibilities for the Digital Technology IP Attorney at SLB?
- The Digital Technology IP Attorney at SLB is responsible for managing an IP docket with a focus on new technology development. This includes patent drafting and prosecution, negotiating technology agreements, providing IP analysis and risk assessment, advising on compliance issues like data privacy and AI governance, and partnering with engineering teams to secure intellectual property for software and digital products.
- What technical background is preferred for this Digital IP Attorney role at SLB?
- SLB prefers candidates for this Digital IP Attorney role to have a university technical degree, ideally in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, geology, geophysics, applied mathematics, or physics. Prior direct engineering experience before law school is also a significant advantage.
- What level of experience is SLB looking for in a Digital Technology IP Attorney?
- SLB is looking for a candidate with approximately 4-7 years of experience after law school, primarily focused on patent prosecution, patent law, and technology-related agreements and transactions. Experience in IP litigation beyond simple support is considered a plus.
- Does SLB require specific experience with software deployment models for this IP Attorney position?
- Yes, for this Digital IP Attorney position at SLB, candidates with experience in software companies developing products for traditional desktop environments, as well as SaaS and multi-tenancy cloud deployment environments, are highly sought after due to the software-intensive nature of the role.
- What are some 'bonus' experiences for an IP Attorney applying to SLB?
- Bonus experiences for an IP Attorney applying to SLB include direct engineering experience before law school, in-house experience at software-intensive enterprises, and substantive IP litigation or IP transactional work post-qualification. Experience working for or representing a multinational company and previous work with oil and gas technology are also preferred.
- Is international travel required for the Digital Technology IP Attorney role at SLB?
- Yes, the ability to travel internationally on an occasional basis is considered nearly essential for the Digital Technology IP Attorney role at SLB. This is important for collaborating with IP professionals in other locations and supporting global initiatives.
- What legal qualifications are necessary for the Digital IP Attorney position at SLB?
- To qualify for the Digital IP Attorney position at SLB, candidates must possess a Law degree (JD or equivalent), be a member in good standing of at least one state or the District of Columbia Bar, and be registered to practice in patent matters before the USPTO.