Corporate Counsel

Fanatics Commerce is the global leader in licensed sports merchandise, operating a vertically integrated platform that designs, manufactures, and delivers officially licensed apparel, jerseys, headwear, and collectibles for major leagues, teams, and events worldwide. With more than 900 e-commerce sites and a global omnichannel presence across digital, in-venue, and retail, Fanatics Commerce reaches fans in over 180 countries and powers official fan experiences for many of the world's most iconic sports properties.

At Fanatics, we bring our BOLD Leadership Principles to life every day - building championship teams, obsessing over fans, acting with entrepreneurial speed, and delivering with a determined and relentless mindset.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Fanatics is seeking an attorney to assume the role of IP Counsel. Reporting to the Company’s Vice President - Legal Affairs & Brand Protection and housed in Fanatics’ Commerce division (but with responsibilities across the Company’s other verticals), the IP Counsel will serve as a strategic partner who must be able to succeed in handling a multitude of legal matters, including, but not limited to, managing intellectual property portfolios (with a focus on trademarks), trademark clearance, anti-counterfeiting and IP enforcement, IP-related disputes (including litigation), domain name matters, license agreements and other contracts, and general IP guidance and strategic advice. As noted below, to be successful in this role you must be an experienced IP attorney who is a self-starter, not afraid to ask questions, enthusiastic about the intersection of IP and business, and able to multi-task/handle various projects at once while effectively prioritizing.  The IP Counsel delivers business and fan impact through BOLD leadership and execution excellence, leveraging data, automation, and AI-enabled insights.

HOW WILL YOU DRIVE IMPACT Success is measured by the ability to deliver results through BOLD capabilities and measurable outcomes.

• Serve as a trusted colleague and creative problem-solver who can take independent ownership over matters and think independently and critically when it comes to various IP-related matters working alongside the VP - Legal Affairs & Brand Protection. 
• Collaborate with the VP - Legal Affairs & Brand Protection and the rest of the Commerce Legal Team to provide legal advice to the executives and senior business leaders across the organization, including engagement in proactive issue-spotting, risk assessment and problem-solving.
• Involved with management and strategic guidance related to the company’s global IP portfolio (across multiple verticals), including communications with the applicable business units to arrive at sound portfolio strategy. 
• Facilitate trademark clearance searches and provide appropriate legal guidance to applicable business units.
• Effectively collaborate and communicate both internally and externally regarding anti-counterfeiting and other IP enforcement matters. Review and evaluate potential enforcement matters and provide sound guidance on merits and strategy.
• Involved with management of various third-party IP-related disputes, including litigation.
• Provide legal support to Fanatics Licensing Management’s College business, including guidance on IP-related legal matters, coordination of brand protection initiatives, and negotiation of license agreements.
• Provide support on IP-related matters pertaining to M&A activity.
• Provide strategic guidance on domain name portfolio and domain name disputes.
• Negotiate and structure trademark license agreements and other contracts.
• Provide sound general IP-related advice across the organization.
• Interpret and advise with respect to rights and obligations under Fanatics' agreements.
• Collaborate with other members of the Commerce Legal Team, including with respect to issues requiring subject matter expertise, and oversee/leverage outside counsel, as needed.  

AI & DIGITAL CAPABILITY We are building a future-ready organization. This role is expected to:

• Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes
• Use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance
• Demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in adopting new technologies and ways of working
• Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

CAPABILITIES & EXPERIENCE YOU BRING

Required Qualifications:

• JD from an ABA-accredited law school and licensed to practice in at least one US jurisdiction 
• 6+ years of IP experience, including substantive law firm background; in-house experience a plus
• Litigation and patent experience both a plus, but not required
• Be a self-starter with strong work ethic capable of taking ownership of projects/matters
• Possess a strong desire to assume a wide variety of responsibilities, be flexible and grow with the Company
• Have excellent organizational, communication and analytical skills
• Strong attention to detail and highly organized
• Possess the ability to work on several projects at once while balancing competing objectives
• Produce high-quality work product in a timely manner to meet demands of the Company
• Be confident and have strong interpersonal skills
• Work well both independently and as a team player
• Be a creative thinker who can initiate and develop alternative approaches to complex issues
• Possess a strong sense of integrity  

WORK LOCATION

Hybrid: The primary place of performance of this role is the Company's office, subject to the Company's current hybrid work policy.  This role currently requires in-office presence (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).

The salary range represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation. When determining base pay as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training. For information about our benefits, please visit https://benefitsatfanatics.com/

Salary Range$190,000—$230,000 USD

At Fanatics, we operate with a BOLD mindset - We Build Championship Teams, we’re Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you’re ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.

ABOUT US
Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.

ABOUT THE TEAM
Fanatics Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally – as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com.

Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world—including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).

At Fanatics Commerce, we infuse our BOLD Leadership Principles in everything we do:
· Build Championship Teams
· Obsessed with Fans
· Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit
· Determined and Relentless Mindset

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