Why This Job is Featured on The SaaS Jobs
In SaaS, intellectual property is not just a legal function but a product and platform lever, especially for companies building enterprise software where differentiation often sits in software architecture, data rights, and brand. This role stands out because it is positioned at the intersection of AI, software development, and go to market expansion, where IP decisions shape how a platform can be commercialised and defended globally.
For a SaaS career, the long-term value here is breadth across the IP surface area that modern software companies rely on: trademarks tied to product lines, copyright questions that emerge from AI-enabled features, patent portfolio development for software, and open-source and licensing governance. That mix tends to create durable expertise that transfers across SaaS categories, from infrastructure and developer tools to vertical applications, because the underlying IP risk patterns repeat even as products change.
The role is likely best suited to a senior counsel who prefers building systems rather than only reviewing documents, and who is comfortable translating technical and product context into practical guidance. It also fits someone who wants sustained partnership with product and engineering stakeholders, and who enjoys prioritising material risk while keeping pace with evolving software roadmaps.
The section above is editorial commentary from The SaaS Jobs, provided to help SaaS professionals understand the role in a broader industry context.
Job Description
Why Harvey
At Harvey, we’re transforming how legal and professional services operate — not incrementally, but end-to-end. By combining frontier agentic AI, an enterprise-grade platform, and deep domain expertise, we’re reshaping how critical knowledge work gets done for decades to come.
This is a rare chance to help build a generational company at a true inflection point. With 1000+ customers in 58+ countries, strong product-market fit, and world-class investor support, we’re scaling fast and defining a new category in real time. The work is ambitious, the bar is high, and the opportunity for growth — personal, professional, and financial — is unmatched.
Our team is sharp, motivated, and deeply committed to the mission. We move fast, operate with intensity, and take real ownership of the problems we tackle — from early thinking to long-term outcomes. We stay close to our customers — from leadership to engineers — and work together to solve real problems with urgency and care. If you thrive in ambiguity, push for excellence, and want to help shape the future of work alongside others who raise the bar, we invite you to build with us.
At Harvey, the future of professional services is being written today — and we’re just getting started.
Role Overview
Harvey’s in‑house legal team is a global group of lawyers and legal professionals operating across multiple disciplines. As we expand, we are building a dedicated intellectual property function that partners directly with our product, engineering, and legal teams to shape how Harvey develops, protects, and leverages IP in support of business growth.
We seek an experienced intellectual property attorney to found and lead this IP legal function. This role offers a rare opportunity to build the IP team from the ground up, collaborate closely with cross‑functional stakeholders, navigate novel and complex issues at the cutting edge of technology, and design, implement, and continuously refine IP strategies in a rapidly evolving environment.
What You'll Do
Scale and manage our global trademark portfolio to align with our evolving product roadmap and international expansion goals.
Conduct ongoing monitoring and in‑depth research on complex copyright issues related to AI, and provide practical business guidance.
Undertake copyright legal reviews for various internal products/projects, with emphasis on providing business-focused, solution-oriented legal advice and guidance.
Oversee our nascent patent portfolio development for AI software, including managing the full patent life cycle from proactive invention identification, application preparation, and prosecution.
Develop and execute patent strategy and manage outside counsel activities related to patent prosecution.
Advise product, engineering, and business teams on data rights, licensing, and open‑source compliance, and counsel on IP terms in commercial and corporate matters.
Deliver clear, practical legal advice in a fast-moving environment.
What You Have
A law degree from an accredited law school
Admitted to practice law and in good standing in at least one jurisdiction and able to practice in California or New York
8+ years of law firm and/or in-house experience IP counseling.
Strong technical background; AI or software experience a plus. A technical degree is preferred but not required.
Demonstrated ability to:
Exercise sound judgment by prioritizing and focusing on material risks.
Adapt and solve problems while communicating clearly with stakeholders.
Work in service of long‑term business objectives while protecting core IP.
Build trusted relationships with engineering, product, and business leaders.
Operate with exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational and project management skills.
Compensation
$251,000 - $339,000 USD
LI-ML3
Harvey is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made by emailing accommodations@harvey.ai
