Description:
About the role:We are hiring a Lead Intellectual Property Counsel to be a part of our growing legal team. In this role, you will have a unique opportunity to build and scale Chime's patent program and influence core components of Chime's intellectual property strategy. You have outstanding professional judgment and excellent communication, interpersonal and drafting skills. You have an ability to anticipate and deliver on the needs of a dynamic and creative business, are eager to work with cross-functional teams, have the flexibility to manage a wide range of projects with a wide variety of people, and are comfortable advising senior business leaders (including executive level management).
The base salary offered for this role and level of experience will begin at $168,570.00 and up to $238,900.00. Full-time employees are also eligible for a bonus, competitive equity package, and benefits. The actual base salary offered may be higher, depending on your location, skills, qualifications, and experience.
In this role, you can expect to (responsibilities)
Patent Portfolio Management
- Oversee and manage Chime's patent portfolio to ensure alignment with the company's strategic objectives.
- Conduct regular portfolio reviews and identify strategic areas for patenting in collaboration with R&D and product teams.
- Direct the preparation and prosecution of patent applications.
- Manage our relationships with outside counsel to ensure that all patent filings are of high quality and cost-effective.
- Partner with Chime's commercial legal team to negotiate and draft intellectual property agreements, including licensing, collaboration, and joint development agreements.
- Provide strategic advice to senior management on patent matters and IP strategy in alignment with business goals.
- Help participate in the development of Chime's long-term strategic initiatives.
- Where applicable, conduct IP due diligence for any mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, or other strategic investments.
- Conduct and supervise freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses, and advise on risk mitigation strategies.
- Prepare legal opinions on patentability, validity, infringement, and freedom-to-operate issues.
- Develop and conduct training sessions for employees on relevant IP issues and best practices.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant IP laws and regulations.
- Stay abreast of changes in patent laws and practices that may affect the company.
- Work closely with other departments, including IT, Platform, Data Science, Marketing, Product, Risk and Customer Experience, to ensure that IP considerations are integrated into company processes.
- Serve as an IP expert within cross-functional teams working on new products or business initiatives.
- A J.D. and active membership in at least one state bar.
- Experience in engineering or another technical field.
- Minimum of 5 years of combined law firm and in-house experience with a focus on IP and/or patent prosecution.
- Admitted to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO).
- Experience with preparation and prosecution of US patents; preparation of infringement, validity, and freedom-to-operate opinions; client counseling
- Experience in operating with limited direction, under tight deadlines, and while managing multiple priorities.
- Familiarity with fintech, technology, banking, or financial services companies.
A Little About us:
At Chime, we believe that everyone can achieve financial progress. We created Chime—a financial technology company, not a bank*—on the premise that core banking services should be helpful, easy, and free. Through our user-friendly tools and intuitive platforms, we empower our members to take control of their finances and work towards their goals. Whether it's starting a savings account, purchasing a first car or home, launching a business, or pursuing higher education, we're proud to have helped millions unlock their financial potential.
We're a team of problem solvers, dreamers, and builders with one shared obsession: our members. From day one, Chimers have worked tirelessly to out-hustle and out-execute competitors to bring our mission to life. Their grit and determination inspire us to work harder every day to deliver the very best experience possible. We each bring an owner's mindset to our work, refusing to be outdone and holding ourselves accountable to meet and exceed the highest bars for our teams, our company, and our members.
We believe in being bold, dreaming big, and taking risks, while also working together, embracing our diverse perspectives, and giving each other honest feedback. Our culture remains deeply entrepreneurial, encouraging every Chimer to see themselves as stewards of our mission to help everyday Americans unlock their financial progress.
We know that to achieve our mission, we must earn and keep people's trust—so we hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity in everything we do. These aren't just words on a wall—our values are embedded in every aspect of our business, serving as a north star that guides us as we work to help millions achieve their financial potential.
Because if we don't—who will?
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
What we offer for our full-time, regular employees
- Our in-office work policy is designed to keep you connected - with four days a week in the office and Fridays from home for those near one of our offices, plus team and company-wide events depending on location. Whether you're coming in regularly or are part of our fully remote program, you'll stay engaged with your work and teammates.**
- In-office perks including backup child, elder, and/or pet care, plus a subsidized commuter benefit to support your regular commute**
- Competitive salary based on experience**
- 401k match** plus great medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits
- Generous vacation policy and company-wide Chime Days, bonus company-wide paid days off**
- 1% of your time off to support local community organizations of your choice
- Annual wellness stipend to use towards eligible wellness related expenses
- Up to 24 weeks of paid parental leave for birthing parents and 12 weeks of paid parental leave for non-birthing parents
- Access to Maven, a family planning tool, with $15k lifetime reimbursement for egg freezing, fertility treatments, adoption, and more.
- In-person and virtual events to connect with your fellow Chimers—think cooking classes, guided meditations, music festivals, mixology classes, paint nights, etc., and delicious snack boxes, too!**
- A challenging and fulfilling opportunity to join one of the most experienced teams in FinTech and help millions unlock financial progress**
We know that great work can't be done without a diverse team and inclusive environment. That's why we specifically look for individuals of varying strengths, skills, backgrounds, and ideas to join our team. We believe this gives us a competitive advantage to better serve our members and helps us all grow as Chimers and individuals.
Chime is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital or family status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis under provincial, federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of state and local laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Cook County Ordinance, NYC Fair Chance Act, and the LA City Fair Chance Ordinance, and consistent with Canadian provincial and federal laws. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during any stage of the application process, please contact: benefits@chime.com.
To learn more about how Chime collects and uses your personal information during the application process, please see the Chime Applicant Privacy Notice.
