This Assistant General Counsel role reports to the Deputy General Counsel who leads the Legal Team’s support for the foundation’s Global Health division (https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Who-We-Are) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute (https://www.gatesmri.org/), a subsidiary of the foundation (Gates MRI). The individual we are seeking has experience in intellectual property and technology law (including patents) and corporate transactions (including due diligence). You also have excellent communication, drafting, review and negotiation skills with a keen eye for detail. Experience with technology licensing is a plus. This is a Seattle, WA based role.
Primary focus is supporting the foundation’s Global Health division but may also support other legal needs of the foundation and/or the Gates MRI or other foundation subsidiaries. Provide guidance in reviewing, developing and implementing grants, contracts and Program Related Investments (the foundation’s equity investments, loans and guarantees made for charitable purposes) in alignment with the foundation’s Global Access and IP policy and program priorities. Collaborate with other members of the Legal Team and foundation personnel. Understand the programmatic and business objectives of internal client groups, develop creative and practical solutions, provide legal advice and resolve issues using the legal and policy framework and the foundation's values. Manage outside counsel as needed. Train and educate program staff regarding laws, policies and best practices applicable to R&D, product development, Global Access, IP and private foundations. Keep current on new and emerging laws and policy developments impacting R&D for human health and private foundations. Provide support in other legal matters or foundation policies and issues as needed and serve as an active member of the Legal Team. Some travel may be required.
- 3-5 years’ experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department (2+ years law firm experience a plus)
- Subject matter expertise in intellectual property and technology law, including patents (experience with licensing a plus)
- Experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements (experience with technology-focused agreements a plus)
- Scientific background or experience working with scientific or technical client-base a plus
- Experience in other corporate transactions a plus
- Detail-oriented, curious, proactive and ambitious
- Ability to collaborate across highly matrixed and global teams
- History of effectively serving a demanding client base in a complex and dynamic work environment
- Ability to advise internal clients at all levels in the organization
- Ability to communicate difficult legal concepts clearly and non-legalistically to business clients orally and in writing
- Ability to prioritize work in context of the foundation’s risk tolerance framework and cross foundational objectives
- Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm and diplomacy both individually and collaboratively as part of a team effort
- Passion for innovation, learning and continuous improvement
- Comfortable with change and ambiguity
- Sense of humor, humility, perspective, equity and generosity
- Highest standards of ethics and integrity