University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia,
is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This
historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities
in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded
schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing
education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to
scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on
many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of
America's Best Employers By State in 2021.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The
University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a
range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its
historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide
variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for
work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent
healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous
retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities,
supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs
and resources, and much more.
COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement for all positions at the University of
Pennsylvania. New hires are expected to be fully vaccinated before beginning
work at the University. For more information about Penn's vaccine requirements
and the use of Penn Open Pass, visit the Penn COVID-19 Response website for
the latest information.
Posted Job Title
Associate General Counsel - Research and Intellectual Property
Job Profile Title
Associate General Counsel
Job Description Summary
Provide legal support to the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Medicine, and
their component schools, centers, and business units, on a wide variety of
research, intellectual property, regulatory, and transactional subjects.
Job Description
Provide legal support to the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Medicine, and
their component schools, centers, and business units, on a wide variety of
research, intellectual property, regulatory, and transactional subjects,
including:
applicability of federal and state laws and regulations regarding human
subject research, clinical trials, sponsored research, animal welfare, use of
hazardous substances, and other Penn research activities;
research contracting, research security, and related funding and compliance
requirements, including conflict of interest and conflict of commitment
obligations; supporting federal and state foreign gift and contract reporting
committee; research misconduct issues; and export control compliance;
support the University's research compliance committees, including IRB
(Institutional Review Board), IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use
Committee), IBC (Institutional Biosafety Committee), and Human Stem Cell
Research Advisory Committee;
manage litigation and third-party document subpoenas related to research and
intellectual property matters;
oversee trademark portfolio for Health System, and advise University and
Health System clients on publishing, website, copyright, trademark, and
related issues;
negotiate complex IT transactions in conjunction with purchasing
professionals;
advise on Internet, data privacy, and data security issues for University and
Health System;
transactions for IP-dependent business units, including the Penn Center for
Community Health Workers, WXPN, University of Pennsylvania Press, and Wharton
School Press;
provide on-call attorney advice periodically to Health System clients;
structure, negotiate, draft, and review a wide variety of contracts and
transactions for University and Health System clients, and other tasks as
assigned.
Provide general legal advice to University and Penn Medicine senior
management, faculty, and employees related to research, intellectual property,
transactions, and related compliance topics. Reports to the Senior Vice
President and General Counsel for the University, with a dotted line report to
the Chief Counsel for Penn Medicine.
Graduation from a recognized college or university, and an accredited law
school with J.D. degree, required. Preferred candidates will have a minimum of
5 years of professional experience in-house or at a law firm, advising a
university, academic medical center and/or health care provider, with legal
expertise in copyright and trademark law, licensing and business transactions,
and/or research regulations and compliance. Patent licensing, FDA drug and/or
device law, advising on start-up ventures and entrepreneurial activities,
and/or HIPAA experience a plus. Admission to the Pennsylvania bar is required
within 1 year of appointment; New Jersey admission is desirable but not
required. Position requires: demonstrated capability to give practical legal
advice to senior management, with impeccable verbal and written communication
skills; the ability to identify and resolve complicated and sensitive problems
creatively and with professional discretion; the ability to interact and
function effectively in a university and academic medical center environment
with matrixed reporting lines and collaborative, shared decision making;
collaborative and collegial personality able to work as part of a team to
serve the clients, but the ability to work independently and in legal areas
that may be unfamiliar; and good legal research, analysis, and reasoning
skills. Candidate should be willing to teach senior management and others on
research and IP topics, to help reduce exposure to legal risks and promote
compliance. The successful candidate may be required to travel occasionally
throughout the Delaware Valley.
* Cover Letter required
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
President's Center
Pay Range
$110,850.00 - $174,270.66
Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race,
color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or
ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any
other legally protected class.
Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration
of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
**Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts :** Penn offers comprehensive
medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance
benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use
flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care
expenses with pre-tax dollars.
**Tuition :** Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your
spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn.
Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other
institutions.
**Retirement:** Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for
your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow
you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide
variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
**Time Away from Work:** Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time
away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take
vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend
time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
**Long-Term Care Insurance:** In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn
offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care
insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services
received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when
you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be
subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always
provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
**Wellness and Work-life Resources :** Penn is committed to supporting our
faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal
life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you
care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
**Professional and Personal Development:** Penn provides an array of resources
to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
**University Resources:** As a member of the Penn community, you have access
to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational
activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic
facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something
going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest
music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at
Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community,
you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy
many of these activities for free.
**Discounts and Special Services :** From arts and entertainment to
transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty
and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free
and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also
enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from
Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and
admission to theme parks.
**Flexible Work Hours:** Flexible work options offer creative approaches for
completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments.
These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or
job structures.
**Penn Home Ownership Services:** Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible
employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West
Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
**Adoption Assistance:** Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified
expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as
travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
**To learn more, please visit:** https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay