IP Counsel - Solutions Group

About the role

Avery Dennison is seeking an IP Counsel, Solutions Group for its digital identification and connected products business in Mentor, OH. The Solutions Group provides intelligent labels (RFID inlays and tags), apparel branding and embellishment solutions, point-of-sale branding, printer/encoder systems, and shelf-edge productivity solutions serving end markets including retail apparel, food and grocery, logistics, beauty, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and e-commerce. Reporting to the Sr.

IP Counsel, Solutions Group, this position works closely with technology and innovation leadership, R&D, Marketing, and Procurement to provide hands-on legal support for RFID and intelligent label technologies, digital identification platforms, connected product solutions, antenna engineering, and apparel branding innovations across global IP strategy, domestic and international IP procurement, enforcement/litigation, due diligence/clearance, business counseling, and transactional support.

Key Responsibilities

This position operates on a hybrid schedule based out of Mentor, OH.

• Support the development and execution of a global IP strategy aligned with core business growth in intelligent labels, digital identification, connected products, and apparel branding platforms, with a focus on expansion in key international markets.
• Manage end-to-end global patent procurement (drafting, PCT/foreign filings, prosecution), triage R&D inventions to ensure high-value filing decisions, and support offensive and defensive IP strategies including competitive surveillance and EPO oppositions.
• Conduct patentability, validity, and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) analyses to clear new product launches, minimize infringement risks, and support IP litigation, adversarial proceedings, and dispute resolution in coordination with outside counsel and internal business partners.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex IP and technology transactions—including Joint Development Agreements, inbound/outbound licensing, strategic vendor contracts, and research collaborations—and support IP due diligence and risk assessment for M&A, joint ventures, and venture investments.
• Serve as an embedded legal partner to R&D, Commercial, Procurement, and Business Development teams, contributing to IP training programs on best practices, invention disclosures, and trade secret protection while optimizing global IP budgets and external legal spend.

Qualifications

• Technical degree (B.S., M.S., or Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Science or Engineering, or Materials Science & Engineering, paired with a law degree (J.D.), registration with the USPTO, and admission to the Bar in good standing in at least one U.S. state.
• 8+ years of dedicated patent law experience, including patent drafting and prosecution, freedom to operate opinions, business counseling, and complex transactional support (including JDAs, licensing, and strategic sourcing agreements).
• Deep technical familiarity with RFID inlays, NFC technology, antenna engineering, digital identification systems, connected product platforms, or software and data platform IP ecosystems (SaaS, cloud-based analytics).
• Superior business acumen and ability to connect legal strategies to commercial goals, paired with strong risk management capabilities and a solid grasp of finance and budgeting concepts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated experience collaborating effectively across global teams, regional boundaries, and cultural backgrounds.

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this position is $144,900 - $216,000 / year. The hiring base salary range above represents what Avery Dennison reasonably expects to pay for this position as of the date of this posting.

Actual salaries will vary within the range, and in some circumstances may be above or below the range, based on various factors including but not limited to a candidate’s relevant skills, experience, education and training, and location, as well as the job scope and complexity, responsibilities, and regular and/or necessary travel required for the position, which may change depending on the candidate pool. Avery Dennison reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Avery Dennison is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected status.

Reasonable Accommodations Notice

If you require accommodations to view or apply for a job, alternative methods are available to submit an application. Please contact (440) 534-6000 or NA.TA.Operations@averydennison.com to discuss reasonable accommodations.

Identity Verification Notice

To maintain the integrity of our hiring process and protect our candidates from identity fraud, we require video and/or in-person interviews. As part of this verification, we may also ask you to take a brief photo. This image is used exclusively to ensure identity consistency and will be permanently deleted once the hiring process concludes.

Pre-employment Screening Notice

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and productive work environment, Avery Dennison requires all final candidates to successfully complete a comprehensive background check and a drug screening. These checks are conducted post-offer and are a condition of employment. All results will be considered in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Why join Avery Dennison

We are a global materials science and digital identification solutions company with locations in over 50 countries, and approximately 35,000 employees worldwide. As a science and innovation company, we believe that diverse teams are stronger teams. We are committed to fostering a culture of curiosity and courage, where you can grow your career with a company that has innovation in its DNA.

Founded on creating real-world impact to enable a better future, we strive to provide an open, collaborative culture where diversity of thought is encouraged and respected. Hear from our employees about what it's like working at Avery Dennison. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.

At Avery Dennison, some of the great benefits we provide are

• LGBTQ+ Inclusive Care Program: Part of living a healthy life is finding a doctor you trust. To make this easier for our members who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+), Anthem is introducing Inclusive Care. This no-cost program helps you find doctors who will treat you with dignity and respect and who are experienced in providing compassionate, high-quality LGBTQ+ healthcare.
• Retirement Savings (401k): Avery Dennison supports your retirement readiness financially through company contributions to the 401(k) Plan. We encourage you to save as much as possible to meet your goals. You receive an automatic contribution of 3% of eligible pay (even if you contribute $0) plus a matching contribution of 50% on the first 7% of eligible pay you contribute.
• Life Insurance: Basic Life Insurance (Company paid): Provides twice your base annual salary up to a $50,000 maximum at no cost to you.
• Paid Time Off: We offer a generous vacation program that varies based upon your experience and position within Avery Dennison.