Counsel, Patents & IP
Lyft is seeking a Counsel, Patents & IP to oversee the company's global patent portfolio and provide strategic guidance on intellectual property matters. This role involves close collaboration with engineering and product teams to manage patent strategy, open source licensing, and technical disclosures. The position reports to the Senior Director, Associate General Counsel, IP, and is available in multiple locations, including Seattle, Washington; Washington, D.C.; and Nashville, Tennessee.
Key responsibilities include managing the patent portfolio end-to-end, advising on open source license compliance, reviewing technical publications for IP risks, and supporting IP diligence for partnerships and M&A activities. The role also involves training product and engineering teams on intellectual property matters and developing scalable IP policies and processes.
Candidates should have over five years of patent prosecution experience, with a strong understanding of patent law outside of litigation. Membership in the Patent Bar and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree are required. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field is essential. Experience advising on open source license compliance and fluency in AI tools are also important.
Compensation for this role varies by location. In Seattle, the expected base salary range is $161,920 to $202,400 annually. In Nashville, the range is $144,320 to $180,400 annually. Lyft offers comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, mental health support, family-building benefits, 401(k) with company match, paid parental leave, and subsidized commuter benefits.
Lyft fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment, valuing team members who can make patent law approachable and bring a sense of humor to a fast-paced setting. The company is committed to positive change, offsetting carbon emissions from all rides, and promoting transportation equity through shared rides, bikeshare systems, electric scooters, and public transit partnerships.