Block is looking for an experienced and highly motivated Intellectual Property (IP) Counsel with an interest in analytics. Block's IP team sits alongside other Legal teams within its Counsel organization and is responsible for protecting Block's IP rights and fostering innovation by strategically building and managing its IP portfolio and counseling our employees on open source issues. You will lead the development and roll out of analytics tools to help the IP team make data-driven decisions and increase efficiency. Additionally, you will work with our Head of Patents and Open Source to develop and manage one of our patent portfolios. You will report to the Global Head of Intellectual Property.

You will:

• Lead the development and roll out of analytics tools and processes to make data-driven decisions and increase the efficiency of the IP team, including the rollout of patent analytics tools and the development of analytics tools for non-patent IP

• Work with our Head of Patents and Open Source to develop the patent and open source strategy for one of Block's business units

• Build a strategic and defensive patent portfolio to mitigate patent risk by developing and maintaining relationships with our research and development teams in this business unit, understanding technical and product roadmaps, identifying patentable inventions, conducting patent disclosure meetings to protect patentable inventions, and managing outside counsel on patent application preparation and prosecution

• Identify and advocate for strategic patent transactions or initiatives that reduce our patent risk for this business unit

• Network with peers at other companies to share best practices

You have:

• JD degree and membership in at least one state bar

• Admitted to practice before the USPTO, with the requisite technical background in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field of study

• Interest in and knowledge of financial and blockchain technologies

• Minimum of eight years of relevant experience, including in-house experience

• Experience developing and managing a patent portfolio in an in-house legal department

• Experience with evaluating, developing, and/or rolling out analytics tools

• Experience rolling out processes to use data to make decisions

• Experience working collaboratively with and managing external vendors to roll out software solutions

• Experience with trademarks, patent litigation, patent transactions, open source, trade secrets, and IP diligence for mergers and acquisitions is desirable

• Presence in the IP community and related professional organizations is desirable

• A bias toward working collaboratively with colleagues and being open to and inquisitive about new ideas

• Executive communication skills

• Flexible mindset and team player attitude

We’re working to build a more inclusive economy where our customers have equal access to opportunity, and we strive to live by these same values in building our workplace. Block is a proud equal opportunity employer. We work hard to evaluate all employees and job applicants consistently, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class. 

We believe in being fair, and are committed to an inclusive interview experience, including providing reasonable accommodations to disabled applicants throughout the recruitment process. We encourage applicants to share any needed accommodations with their recruiter, who will treat these requests as confidentially as possible. Want to learn more about what we’re doing to build a workplace that is fair and square? Check out our I+D page. 

Additionally, we consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment on our team, and always assess candidates on an individualized basis.

Perks

We want you to be well and thrive. Our global benefits package includes:

• Healthcare coverage
• Retirement Plans
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Wellness perks
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Learning and Development resources

Block, Inc. (NYSE: SQ) is a global technology company with a focus on financial services. Made up of Square, Cash App, Spiral, TIDAL, and TBD, we build tools to help more people access the economy. Square helps sellers run and grow their businesses with its integrated ecosystem of commerce solutions, business software, and banking services. With Cash App, anyone can easily send, spend, or invest their money in stocks or Bitcoin. Spiral (formerly Square Crypto) builds and funds free, open-source Bitcoin projects. Artists use TIDAL to help them succeed as entrepreneurs and connect more deeply with fans. TBD is building an open developer platform to make it easier to access Bitcoin and other blockchain technologies without having to go through an institution.