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Associate General Counsel-IP Due Diligence

AbbVie


Job Location:

North Chicago, IL - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer
Posted: 24 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 21 October 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

AbbVie is searching for an in-house Associate General Counsel for our IP Due Diligence group part of AbbVies Intellectual Property Transactions and Innovation legal team. This position will support AbbVies business development activities including mergers and acquisitions licensing deals option agreements and venture transactions and will be based in our offices in North Chicago IL Waltham MA South San Francisco CA or Irvine CA with a hybrid work model (on site 3 days/week).

Acting individually and in cross-functional teams the Associate General Counsel will lead and execute IP due diligence for business development transactions assess intellectual property risk and opportunity across AbbVies pipeline and target portfolios and provide strategic IP counsel in support of AbbVies M&A licensing option and venture activities.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead and execute comprehensive IP due diligence for M&A licensing option and venture transactions assessing patent coverage freedom-to-operate validity enforceability and competitive landscape
  • Provide legal advice and counsel to cross-functional business development R&D and commercial teams on IP matters arising in the context of transactions and strategic partnerships
  • Analyze and assess third-party patent portfolios and competitive landscapes including claim scope prosecution history litigation exposure  and conduct patent landscaping across counterparty portfolios or various mechanisms-of-action to identify strategic risks white-space opportunities and competitive intelligence insights in support of transaction structuring and risk mitigation
  • Prepare and present clear actionable due diligence reports and risk assessments to senior legal business and scientific stakeholders
  • Partner with external counsel and internal scientific teams to conduct prior art searches validity assessments and freedom-to-operate analyses in support of transaction due diligence
  • Lead and support negotiations in connection with licensing M&A option and venture transactions working closely with business development and legal colleagues
  • Build and manage productive relationships with science evaluation and business development teams to ensure IP considerations are integrated throughout the deal lifecycle
  • Interact regularly with IP team leadership to provide updates on transaction diligence activities escalate key risks and align on IP strategy
  • Participate in technology assessment and cross-functional teams supporting R&D external opportunity diligence evaluating the IP implications of in-licensing co-development and acquisition targets
  • Support and where appropriate manage patent prosecution activities across a range of modalities including complex and simple biologics peptides small molecule pharmaceuticals or device-related inventions coordinating with outside counsel and internal R&D teams to develop and execute prosecution strategies aligned with business objectives

Qualifications :

  • JD degree from an accredited law school active state bar admission enabling in-house practice (specific state not required) and registration to practice before the USPTO as a patent attorney
  • 8 years of experience practicing patent law as a patent attorney at a law firm and/or life sciences company with substantial experience conducting IP due diligence in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology context
    • Prior due diligence experience in simple biologics complex biologics peptides and other small molecule pharmaceuticals
    • Experience with biosimilars or generics portfolios
  • Technical background relevant for pharmaceutical IP due diligence such as:
    • Experience with small molecule and/or biological pharmaceutical discovery & development and/or
    • Technical degree in a relevant field such as molecular biology biotechnology biochemistry biology chemistry chemical engineering or biomedical engineering
  • Strong legal analytical communication collaboration and people skills
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects to meet deadlines

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Prior pharma or biotech due diligence experience in M&A licensing or option deal transactions
  • Experience with biosimilars or generic pharmaceutical patent portfolios
  • Experience advising on venture transactions or strategic collaborations with IP components

Additional Information :

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: 

  • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of thisposting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic locationand we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. 

  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation holidays sick) medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.

  • This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs. 

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus commissionincentive benefits or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Companys sole and absolute discretion unless anduntil paid and may be modified at the Companys sole and absolute discretion consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity driving innovation transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. 

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more visit  & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation click here to learn more:

Work :

No


Employment Type :

Full-time


About Company

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AbbVie is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on creating medicines and solutions that put impact first — for patients, communities, and our world. We aim to address complex health issues and enhance people's lives through our core therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuro ... View more

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