Senior Counsel, Patent Litigation, Global Legal Pharma

Roche seeks a Senior Counsel for Patent Litigation to lead and support global patent disputes, primarily ex-US, from its Basel headquarters. The role requires extensive experience in pharmaceutical patent litigation and European legal practice.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Global Patent Litigation, this high-visibility position drives patent dispute resolution across the company's global operations, with a specific focus on markets outside the United States. The role involves managing complex caseloads, guiding litigation strategy, and collaborating with internal teams and external counsel to protect the company's intellectual property portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a diverse portfolio of court proceedings, including patent infringement, validity, and revocation cases, with a primary focus on non-US jurisdictions.
• Collaborate with experienced patent attorneys to manage legal proceedings, drawing on their specialized subject matter knowledge and local expertise.
• Provide strategic guidance to the litigation and patent practice groups, particularly regarding global patent litigation approaches.
• Advise senior business leaders and legal colleagues on strategic matters, employing a practical and business-oriented mindset.
• Formulate and execute strategies to address or resolve patent disputes at regional, national, and international levels, including negotiating licenses and settlements.
• Develop and align global patent litigation strategies across multiple jurisdictions.
• Work closely with Group Patents and cross-functional teams, including R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, and Finance.
• Direct and manage outside counsel in Europe and other non-US regions.
• Travel internationally as necessary to support dispute resolution and litigation efforts.

Requirements

• Qualified legal practitioner (e.g., attorney-at-law) in at least one European jurisdiction or equivalent.
• 7 to 10+ years of experience in patent litigation, preferably within pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences sectors.
• Extensive knowledge of European patent litigation practices, particularly in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, or other major jurisdictions.
• Familiarity with Unified Patent Court (UPC) strategy and procedural rules.
• Understanding of SPC law, data/market exclusivity, and regulatory linkage in Europe.
• Proven ability to coordinate complex, multi-jurisdictional patent litigation.
• Strong analytical, written, and oral communication skills in English.

Nice to have

• Additional legal qualifications such as European Patent Attorney, German Patentanwalt, or UK Solicitor/Barrister are highly valued.
• Proficiency in European languages like German, French, or Dutch is preferred.
• A background in biological science or chemistry (undergraduate or graduate) is advantageous but not mandatory.

About the company

Roche brings together over 100,000 employees worldwide who are dedicated to advancing science and delivering life-changing healthcare solutions. The company fosters a culture of personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where individuals are valued and respected for who they are. With a mission to prevent, stop, and cure diseases, Roche ensures access to healthcare for current and future generations, empowering employees to explore new possibilities and keep ambitions high.

• A culture that encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections.
• A mission to prevent, stop, and cure diseases while ensuring healthcare access for generations to come.
• Over 100,000 employees globally dedicated to advancing science.
• Empowerment to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and deliver life-changing healthcare solutions.