Sr. Counsel, Patents

Location: Hershey, PA

Work location: We can support a remote candidate within the U.S., preferably within close proximity to travel occasionally to Hershey, PA.

Department: Legal

Summary of Role:

The Senior Counsel, Patents, acts as a strategic legal advisor to The Hershey Company, with primary responsibility for protecting and leveraging the organization’s patent portfolio. This role leads efforts to identify, secure, and defend intellectual property related to product innovation, process improvement, and emerging technologies—including AI and digital solutions—while collaborating closely with R&D, innovation, and business units. The Senior Counsel ensures legal compliance, manages patent-related agreements and disputes, and supports business growth through proactive risk management and stakeholder education.

Role Responsibilities:

• Lead the identification, protection, prosecution, and maintenance of patentable inventions across food products, packaging, manufacturing processes, and emerging technologies.
• Conduct patent landscape analyses, freedom-to-operate reviews, and competitive intelligence to guide innovation and mitigate risk.
• Draft, review, and negotiate patent-related agreements, including technology transfer, joint development, research collaboration, and IP licensing contracts.
• Manage patent disputes, oppositions, and litigation, coordinating with external counsel and regulatory authorities as needed.
• Develop and deliver training programs for employees, ensuring compliance with global patent laws and company policies.
• Direct management of a global patent portfolio, including oversight of budget and external counsel/vendor resources.
• Influence on company-wide innovation and risk management strategies through cross-functional collaboration and legal guidance.

Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Expertise in global patent laws and regulations, particularly in the context of consumer packaged goods (CPG) products and processes.
• Strong ability to interpret legal frameworks and craft business-oriented solutions that achieve strategic goals.
• Proven experience in defending patent claims and providing comprehensive risk management advice.
• Capacity to operate autonomously and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary legal team.
• Excellent oral and written communication, research, and analytical skills.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: 

• Education –
  • Juris Doctor (JD) and USPTO bar registration required
  • Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania or ability to obtain a limited corporate counsel license in Pennsylvania
• Experience –
  • At least 8–10 years of experience in patent law, patent prosecution, and enforcement and portfolio management.
  • Experience in a corporate legal department or law firm, preferably in the consumer-packaged goods, food, or related industry.
  • Some knowledge of food regulatory and compliance requirements preferred, but not required

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The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
 
The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.  

You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application process as a result of a disability.
You can request an accommodation via phone or email.  

To request an accommodation via phone, please call +1 877-804-1794 and leave a voicemail with your contact information.  You may also email a request for accommodation to ApplicationHelp@hersheys.com. Please be sure to include “Accommodation Needed” in the subject line. This will ensure that your email is routed to the appropriate contact who will handle your request.