Associate Corporate Attorney

ASSOCIATE CORPORATE ATTORNEY – INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – CORPORATE OFFICE (AUSTIN, MN)

HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

To save time applying, Hormel Foods does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas for this position at this time.

ABOUT HORMEL FOODS — Inspired People. Inspired Food. 

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters, Skippy, SPAM, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Wholly, Hormel Black Label, Columbus, Jennie-O and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World's Best Companies, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food. — to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit  

We are seeking an Associate Corporate Counsel with a strong background in Intellectual Property (IP) to join our dynamic legal team. This role will focus on managing and protecting the company's IP portfolio, including trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets, while providing strategic legal advice to internal stakeholders. This is your opportunity to join a fast paced, collaborative team of IP professionals who are passionate about protecting company assets, finding ways to build efficiencies with new technology and creating a positive, engaging work environment.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in the development, protection, and enforcement of the company's global IP portfolio.
• Draft, review, and negotiate IP-related agreements, including licensing, confidentiality, and technology agreements.
• Support trademark clearance, prosecution, and enforcement activities. 
• Collaborate with internal business units on IP strategy, risk assessment, and compliance. 
• Defend the company against demand letters, claims, and litigation, including developing and executing litigation strategy and management of outside counsel. 
• Provide training and guidance to internal teams on IP best practices. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• J.D. degree with strong academic credentials.
• 3+ years of legal experience practicing in IP law. 
• Membership in good standing with the Minnesota bar, or membership in good standing with another state's bar with the ability to become a member in good standing with the Minnesota bar within six months of hire. 
• Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require employer sponsorship for a work visa. 
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of IP issues in emerging technologies (AI and data privacy) is a plus.
• Experience with IP compliance and enforcement online tools would be beneficial.

LOCATION: Global Headquarters, Austin MN 

A comprehensive relocation package to the Austin, MN area will be offered if needed.   

TRAVEL: 10% of the time  

At Hormel Foods, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. The base hiring pay range for the Associate Corporate Counsel role is between $113,500 - $158,900 per year, and your actual base pay within that range will depend upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skill set, level of experience, and geographic market location. 

BENEFITS: Other components of Hormel Foods' total compensation package include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, discretionary annual merit increases, bonuses and profit sharing, 401(k) with employer match, stock purchase plan, paid time off, free two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more. 

For immediate consideration, apply online at:  

At Hormel we invite difference and diversity in all aspects.  We offer a space of support, understanding, and community.  We are committed to the journey  Learn more about our progress here: 

Hormel Foods provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.