Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property

Role Overview:

• Position: Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property
• Location: San Francisco Bay Area (relocation assistance may be available)
• Type: Full-time
• Salary: $304,000 to $342,000 base + equity + benefits

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and refine Discord’s IP strategy for trademark, copyright, and patents
• Advise cross-functional teams (Engineering, Product, Sales, Marketing) on IP-related matters with practical and creative solutions
• Manage and advance the patent program, including drafting, prosecution, licensing, and negotiations
• Optimize global trademark enforcement and brand protection strategies
• Provide flexible guidance across legal areas: Litigation, Product, Commercial, Marketing, Corporate
• Oversee open source program compliance with Engineering teams
• Develop processes, documentation, and training to scale IP education and compliance
• Streamline IP resources, possibly integrating strategic AI use and external counsel management

Requirements:

• JD from an accredited law school
• Admission to California Bar (or eligible to register as in-house counsel)
• 8+ years combined law firm and in-house experience
• Strong strategic mindset balancing risk management with proactive protection
• Expertise in patent prosecution, strategy, and licensing negotiations
• Hands-on experience managing trademarks and brand protection globally
• Knowledge of software licensing, open source compliance, and copyright issues
• Ability to translate complex IP issues for technical and executive audiences
• Leadership and mentoring experience for junior legal professionals
• Willingness to dive into new areas and learn

Bonus Qualifications:

• Prior in-house experience at a consumer tech company
• Familiarity with video/audio tech (video codecs)
• Interest/experience in AI applications for IP enforcement
• Experience with marketing review and commercial license negotiations
• Knowledge of music licensing
• Appreciation for quirky, complex hypotheticals

Why Discord?

• Work for a platform used by 200+ million people monthly, especially gamers
• Join a dynamic legal team supporting a rapidly growing and evolving company
• High salary range + equity + benefits
• Located in a tech hub (San Francisco Bay Area)