Leads highly complex, highly visible, and challenging intellectual property (IP) assignments providing expert advice and counsel to management, including high-level agency officials, on a full range of research and development, data sharing, and IP legal services, including the areas of research and development, data sharing, and patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and data rights. This includes, but is not limited to: engaging with employees across the FAA to identify potentially patentable inventions; working with inventors to develop ideas; leading discussions with FAA inventors; participating in the invention development process; making strategic assessments regarding the filing of patent applications; drafting high-quality patent applications involving a wide range of technologies for licensing through, and coordination with, the FAA Technology Transfer Office (TTO).
Provides counseling and training of FAA engineers & scientists, contract officers & procurement personnel, and lines of business and staff office (LOB/SO) in personnel on all areas of research and development centric solicitation and award instruments, data sharing agreements and intellectual property (patent, trademark, copyright), technology transfer, open source software, and data rights (including inventions, patents, trade secrets, computer software, and technical data rights).
Provides legal advice for a wide range of issues in the field of research and development and data sharing including contracts, grants, other transaction agreements, and prize competitions.
Represents the agency as a recognized expert in United States patent and other intellectual property laws with other federal and state agencies, aviation industry organizations, and at national meetings and conferences. Decisions and opinions on highly complex issues frequently establish the agency's position, and create agency policy and precedents on a long-term basis. Conducts thorough legal research by appropriately identifying and analyzing relevant legal and factual issues and arguments. Assesses legal strengths and weaknesses of available arguments to provide accurate, complete, and practical legal advice and conclusions. Identifies and learns
emerging issues, principles, and practices relevant to the legal practice area.
Serves as an expert advisor to the TTO and advises on technology transfer matters including patent licensing and Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) matters. Negotiates and resolves complex intellectual property agreements, software licenses and third-party IP rights pertaining to the rights of inventors, research collaborators, other agency personnel, private companies, and funding recipients. Collaborates with the FAA Innovation & Technology Advisory Council (ITAC) located within the William J. Hughes Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport. On a limited basis, assists in trademark procurement/maintenance, provides
litigation support for patent, trademark, and copyright infringement claims, and resolves patent, trademark, and copyright administrative claims.
Produces communications that are very well-organized, clear, and persuasive. Provides advice tailored to the client and requirements of the agency. Maintains the appropriate balance between providing accurate, complete, and practical legal advice. Effectively adjusts communications and/or advice to meet audience expectations and level of understanding. Demonstrates interpersonal skills needed to develop and maintain strong client relationships. Actively participates with clients to identify and meet client goals and objectives. Seeks consensus with the client as to the timing and scope of work. Proactively identifies and appropriately pursues solutions to effectively represent the agency’s interests in responding to high-priority issues. Puts forth effort to meet established proficiency level goals and objectives.
Performs other duties as assigned.