Summary

The Intellectual Property and Data Privacy Corporate Counsel provides strategic legal support for Baylor College of Medicine’s research, innovation, and commercialization and data governance, privacy, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. The role advises on intellectual property matters (including patents, trademarks, copyrights, etc.) with an emphasis on supporting commercialization, and leads the legal review of data-sharing, privacy, and technology terms in contracts. The role also supports other legal contracting which may include real estate and construction. The position works closely with research faculty, administrators, and leadership to advance the College’s mission while managing legal risk and supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and institutional policies. 

This position develops and maintains stakeholder relationships with BCM innovation and commercialization stakeholders; research leadership; Sponsored Programs; clinical research administration; IT/Security; Compliance; Procurement/Supply Chain; Facilities Management; Clinical Operations; and operational leaders responsible for vendor and data-sharing arrangements.

Job Duties

Intellectual Property and Commercialization

• Advise on the creation, ownership, protection, and enforcement of intellectual property, including patents (biotech, medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, digital health), trademarks/branding, copyrights (educational content, publications, software), and trade secrets/confidential information.
• Support technology commercialization activities (including invention disclosures, licensing/option agreements, collaboration structures, and related negotiations) in coordination with BCM innovation/commercialization stakeholders.
• Oversee patent prosecution strategy and portfolio management in coordination with outside counsel (including docket oversight as assigned by the GC).
• Draft, review, and negotiate IP-related agreements and IP clauses in sponsored research, clinical trial, data, and vendor agreements.

Data Governance, Privacy, and Technology Transactions

• Serve as OGC lead for data governance and data-sharing terms, including BAAs, data sharing and use agreements, de-identification/limited data set approaches, security requirements, audit rights, and downstream vendor/subrecipient flow-downs.
• Advise on privacy and data protection issues relevant to research, education, and operations; coordinate incident-response legal support with IT Security.
• Provide legal support for technology/software transactions (IT/SaaS/cloud/data/AI), including security standards, breach notification, AI-use terms, acceptable use limitations, and vendor diligence requirements.
• Counsel internal stakeholders on governance considerations for AI and emerging technology adoption (contracting guardrails, privacy/security risk, vendor diligence, and policy alignment).

Corporate Contracts and Other Legal Support

• Manage the legal review of real estate, construction, and facilities contracts (in coordination with outside counsel) working closely with Facilities Management and Clinical Operations.
• Contract review and approval of corporate contracts in coordination with OGC attorneys.

Research-Adjacent Compliance Support 

• Advise on legal issues that intersect with research compliance where IP/data rights are implicated, including matters arising from human subjects research (IRB/HRPP), clinical trials, and animal research (IACUC) in coordination with OGC attorneys.
• Counsel on federally funded research obligations affecting IP/data rights, including Bayh–Dole-related terms, title/assignment language, and government rights in sponsored projects in coordination with OGC attorneys.

Dispute Resolution and Risk Management

• Support resolution of disputes involving research agreements, IP ownership, authorship, and data rights; develop practical resolution strategies in partnership with OGC leadership.
• Assist with IP rights’ enforcement, defense against infringement claims, coordinating with outside counsel as needed. and aligning with OGC leadership on litigation posture.

Governance, Training, and Program Support

• Develop and maintain playbooks, template clauses, and guidance for IP/data/privacy terms to support contracting consistency and reduce cycle time in coordination with OGC attorneys.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting medical innovation, data governance/privacy, and IP strategy; provide periodic updates to OGC leadership.

Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Five years of relevant experience.
• Active license to practice law and admission in good standing with a state legal bar.
• Must become licensed to practice in Texas within 12 months of employment.

Department Specific Requirements

• Experience advising on intellectual property, data privacy, and or related legal matters.
• Strong drafting, communication, and problem-solving skills; ability to translate legal concepts for scientific, technical, and academic audiences.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including:
  • Regularly working at a computer (e.g., reviewing and drafting documents, reading and responding to email, using contract/research systems) for extended periods.
  • Communicating effectively in person, by phone, and via video conference, including participation in meetings and presentations.
  • Occasional travel to BCM locations, affiliate sites, and external meetings (generally within the Houston area and, as needed, other Texas locations), including the ability to arrive on time and return as required for scheduled business needs.
• Managing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced, self-starting environment, including periods of increased workload. 

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Experience in a medical school, academic medical center, research university, or research-intensive organization.
• Background in life sciences/biotechnology or equivalent experience supporting life-science R&D and commercialization.
• Familiarity with federal research funding frameworks and compliance obligations affecting IP/data rights (e.g., Bayh-Dole).
• USPTO registration (Patent Bar) or meaningful experience managing patent prosecution.