Min: $95,000 - Max: $120,000

Our Story:

For nearly 40 years, J.Crew has been at the forefront of American style and lifestyle. Today, we’re taking the best of our heritage, combined with the values of the present, and the optimism of our future, to create the best version of ourselves–of our heritage made modern. Through our growing family of brands, we strive to be an approachable, inclusive voice of American style, that nurtures the customer who grew up with us, and welcomes new ones to our world.

Work with our crew at our HQ in NYC's iconic Financial District. Our offices house multiple teams and are built to be an environment that invites collaboration and creativity across functions. We continuously dedicate ourselves to bringing the brightest innovators and unparalleled experts to J.Crew Group, making growth opportunities with our team endless.

Role + Purpose:

Our Associate Counsel/Intellectual Property will be a key member of our in-house legal team, responsible for providing legal support and assisting in the management of J. Crew Group’s intellectual property portfolio. The successful candidate will report to ? and work closely with our merchandise and design teams and will administer our intellectual property portfolio, conduct trademark and copyright searches, and advise on the use of proposed J. Crew Group trademarks, copyrights, trade names, merchandise names, domain names, and trade dress. They will also stay abreast of fashion law and be a thought partner to the legal team and the brand teams as to best practices and emerging issues in trademark and copyright matters.

Your daily Impact:

• Using the USPTO database, WIPO websites, and other IP online resources:
  • Conduct trademark searches for proposed collection of styles names for apparel, footwear, jewelry, handbags and accessories,
  • Conduct copyright and trademark searches for graphic designs and logos to be used on apparel,
  • Conduct trade dress and patent design searches for footwear, handbags and accessories and lace patterns, fabric patterns.
• Provide clearance opinions to the copywriter teams and design teams for Madewell, Crewcuts, and J. Crew and J. Crew Factory.
• Assist with maintaining an internal IP Docket and Clearance Database.
• Assist with filing takedown requests with social media platforms and 3rd party sites to remove infringing content (unauthorized use of trademarks, unauthorized use of images).
• Assist with IP training for employees.
• Assist with all aspects of US trademark applications, including preparation and filing of extensions of time, statements of use, renewals, etc.
• Effectively and efficiently work with other in-house subject matter experts and outside legal counsel to advise leadership on key trademark and related IP issues with a focus on solving IP related problems in a commercially practical way.
• Collaborate with the marketing and the branding teams to ensure that our global trademark portfolio aligns with the business and product strategy.

The Essentials: (qualifications)

• Law degree (JD) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
• Admitted to the Bar of the State of New York, or capable of qualifying for authorized house counsel status.
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Minimum of two years of intellectual property law experience (trademarks, copyright) at a law firm and/or in-house legal department.Excellent leadership and client relationship skills, including the ability to influence others, foster teamwork, and drive for results and change within a creative and innovative organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

We are committed to affirmatively providing equal opportunity to all associates and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, legally protected physical or mental disability or any other basis protected under applicable law.