Associate General Counsel - Intellectual Property & Emerging Technologies

Application Deadline: 23 February 2025

Department: Legal

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Reporting To: Bridget Smith

Compensation: $200,000 - $220,000 / year

Description

Overview
As NYPL continues to innovate and expand our digital and technological initiatives, we seek an experienced Associate General Counsel with expertise in intellectual property (IP) and emerging technologies, who will also provide legal counsel on a broad range of generalist matters. The Associate General Counsel will work closely with other Legal Department members in a small legal team and report directly to the General Counsel. This position will serve as a legal advisor, supporting NYPL’s mission by managing legal risks, ensuring compliance, and providing strategic guidance on matters related to IP (copyright and fair use and trademarks), digital initiatives, AI and emerging technologies, also an opportunity to work in such areas as general corporate, employment, and contract law.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:
Own:

• Independent handling of legal matters and projects ranging from basic to complex
• Management of work product records
• Client relationships with supported departments

Teach:

• Clients and stakeholders about the law, policies and procedures related to legal matters

Learn:

• The complexities and diversity of matters faced by the Library’s Legal Department 
• Library’s internal procedures, policies, stakeholders and various department functions

Improve:

• Template forms and processes
• Workflow by ensuring that appropriate clients and team members are involved in projects and the decision-making process

Some expectations for this role are that within:
1 month, this person will:

• Conduct in-person introductions with key stakeholders of supported departments
• Become familiar with the organizational structure of the Library and its leadership
• Learn how to navigate Legal Department’s document management system

3 months, this person will:

• Learn about the Library’s departments and obtain a strong knowledge of their functions and objectives
• Independently handle legal matters 

6 months and beyond, this person will:

• Be fully immersed in the Library and its work
• Build rapport and good working relationships with stakeholders 
• Establish themselves as a primary Legal Department point of contact with clients
• Suggest potential refinement of the Legal Department’s processes and procedures
• Establish relationships with other attorneys at peer institutions

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and counsel to internal clients on a variety of matters, including the following areas of law: intellectual property strategy, including protecting new technologies, copyright and trademarks
• Counsel on legal risks related to AI, machine learning, data privacy, and digitization efforts
• Work closely with the Research Libraries, Digital Team and Information Technology Group to draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of contracts
• Draft key documents
• Identify and analyze legal issues and provide advice
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards - and provide guidance to Library’s departments
• Stay informed and up to date about emerging legal and regulatory issues that may impact the Library and proactively recommend appropriate action and/or strategies
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to develop and implement policies and procedures that align with legal requirements, best practices and Library values
• Manage litigation claims and administrative agency complaints with outside insurance counsel
• Review subpoenas and third-party information requests and manage responses
• Engage and supervise various outside counsel
• Notarize documents
• Provide general legal support with a focus on protecting the Library’s interests, furthering its non-profit mission, and mitigating risk
• Other legal matters as needed

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• Active New York State Bar Membership in good standing
• NY State Notary Public