This senior level position has primary responsibility for supporting two of Nestlé’s core U.S.-based businesses, Nestlé Professional and the Global Foods Division. Serve on the leadership teams for both businesses and am responsible for the delivery of high quality, actionable, and timely legal advice in support of their respective priorities. Also organize and lead the compliance committee responsible for overseeing the adherence to applicable laws and Nestlé policies. Also, a member of the Nestlé USA legal leadership team responsible for establishing and delivering on functional priorities.

Global lead of patent litigation competence center. Global category lead for R&D for the food and confections categories. Responsible attorney for three R&D centers in the US and additional centers in Europe. Provide support for any legal issues arising in the facilities including, for example, commercial and IP related contracts, regulatory issues, HR, and corporate compliance. Additionally, I am the sole patent attorney supporting the Nestle USA and provide all manner of IP support through close collaboration with the business relationship lawyers. Counseling includes IP identification and protection, risk assessments, management of patent litigation, interaction with patent assertion entities, preparation and negotiation of IP related contracts, and training. Corporate Secretary for Nestle USA and related companies.

This Ohio-based company was a global manufacturer of carbon and graphite products, with applications from consumer electronics to steel production. As a member of a small corporate legal department, flexibility was crucial, and responsibilities included reviewing and negotiating agreements related to IT, sales, and procurement, as well as corporate compliance activities in both domestic and foreign venues. The job function further required close interaction with R&D and business units to facilitate the growth and assertion of a global patent portfolio.

This global company is a leading supplier of power, robotics and automation products. Duties included patent drafting and prosecution, managing foreign associates and interacting with foreign counterparts. Also involved in IP diligence related to acquisitions, infringement/invalidity opinions, implementation of IP strategy/procedures and employee training.

Duties at this full service intellectual property firm included patent drafting and prosecution, patent and trademark searches, opinion work, client counseling and patent litigation. Worked closely with internal IP function of various companies including Hoover, Wayne Dalton, and Firestone Building Products.

Worked with product development team designing novel cancer diagnostic equipment. Supported design efforts and performed extensive laboratory testing.