Senior Counsel, Innovation Law

Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.

Position Summary

Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking an experienced patent attorney to provide business-oriented advice on a broad range of intellectual property matters to support our business development organization. The attorney hired for this position will work closely with other members of our Law Department to analyze complex factual and legal scenarios and provide timely, practical, and actionable guidance to internal clients. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well across functions and geographies are a must.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct IP due diligence on assets or technologies of interest and provide counseling on IP issues identified during IP diligence.

• Draft and negotiate IP provisions in third-party agreements, including research collaborations, partnership agreements, and mergers & acquisitions.

• Provide information and answer questions relating to patentability and the projected exclusivity of our products and product candidates across all geographies.

• Foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the Law & Policy Department and other functions, supporting the growth of a high-performing team and strong cross-functional partnerships.

• Demonstrate strong business acumen and sound judgment in navigating complex, matrixed organizational structures.

• Deliver practical, service-oriented legal advice consistent with Bristol Myers Squibb’s mission and values.

Qualifications & Experience

• Juris Doctor degree and active bar membership in good standing.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, preferably in the biological or chemical sciences.

• An advanced degree and/or scientific research experience preferred.

• At least ten years of legal experience in patent prosecution or patent litigation.

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders.

• Effective problem-solving, risk assessment, and strategic thinking, with demonstrated effectiveness in cross-functional, matrixed organizations.

• Leadership and team-building skills, including the ability to mentor, collaborate, and foster alignment across functions.

• High integrity, flexibility, and commitment to excellence, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary, cross-cultural team.

#LI-Hybrid

If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.

Compensation Overview:

Cambridge Crossing: $257,030 - $311,462 Princeton - NJ - US: $233,670 - $283,147

The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience. 

Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/.

Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect an