Associate Counsel, Trademark

Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

Visa is looking for a Trademark Attorney to protect and enforce the VISA trademark, one of the most valuable brands in the world. This position will be responsible for overseeing Visa’s trademark portfolio, trademark enforcement actions, negotiate settlements and licenses, provide trademark advice and guidance, manage outside counsel, draft clearance opinions, and engage in brand strategy discussions. The candidate should have a strong working knowledge of applicable legal issues that arise in trademark, copyright, and licensing matters. An ideal candidate will also have in-house experience partnering with internal staff and outside counsel. The Trademark Attorney will work collaboratively with other members of the Trademark team and other stakeholder teams within the company in a volume-intensive legal and business environment.

This position, based in Foster City, California and will report to Visa’s Trademark Counsel.

Essential Functions

• Manage Visa’s trademark enforcement matters globally (C&D letters, social media takedowns, oppositions, cancellations, litigation)

• Oversee Visa’s trademark prosecution strategy and trademark portfolio

• Direct Visa's outside counsel in the execution of Visa’s trademark enforcement strategies

• Draft and negotiate settlement agreements and third-party licenses

• Counsel and train staff on brand protection and trademark issues, participate in shaping Visa’s brand strategy

• Provide counsel on Visa’s domain name strategy

• Guide trademark paralegal staff in their responsibilities

• Draft clearance opinions for new names and logos

• Contribute to the continuous development and improvement of the Trademark Team's processes

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in office will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Basic Qualifications
• 2 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD, or PhD)

Preferred Qualifications
• 3 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or more than 2 years of work experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD)
• 2 years of experience in intellectual property law with a focus on trademark, including, maintaining a sizeable trademark portfolio, experience enforcing IP against third party infringers, advising staff on IP rights
• Working knowledge of trademark and copyright law
• Prior in-house experience strongly preferred, but not required
• Prior experience in at least one of the following areas: payments (and related credit and debit processing), financial services, technology or fintech industries
• Current member in good standing of the California Bar or the eligibility to become state registered in-house counsel in good standing
• Must possess exceptional analytical ability and advocacy skills, drive execution in a team environment, and the ability to integrate legal advice and business knowledge, while providing balanced advice regarding risks and benefits
• Effective verbal and written communication skills in all interactions with internal staff, senior management, external counsel, corporate departments and all levels of employees
• Working knowledge of social media and internet platforms
• Developed business acumen, with ability to understand the company's business interests and anticipate the nature and magnitude of issues that could arise in various settings
• Practical and proactive problem-solver, must be confident, mature and calm under fire

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel 5-10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting.  The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Visa is an EEO Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.  Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

Visa will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is 152,900.00 to 195,000.00 USD per year, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.