American Bankers Association · 10 hours ago
VP & Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property & Artificial Intelligence
Main, PA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$245K/yr - $260K/yr
10+ years expThe American Bankers Association is the banking industry's champion, seeking an experienced attorney to serve as Vice President & Senior Counsel. This role will lead legal programs in intellectual property, artificial intelligence governance, and legal risk management while advising senior leadership on strategic legal matters.
AssociationBankingFinanceFinancial Services
Responsibilities
Partner with the SVP of Contracts to lead ABA’s contracting strategy, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of complex and high-value agreements
Oversee software and technology licenses, data agreements, consulting contracts, NDAs, MOUs, and collaboration agreements
Establish and maintain contracting frameworks, templates, and risk standards
Develop and enforce ABA’s contracting governance framework, templates, and workflows
Direct legal review of vendor onboarding, including IP ownership, data security, and regulatory compliance considerations
Protect and manage ABA’s trademark portfolio, including clearance, registration, enforcement, and licensing
Develop and implement ABA’s IP governance frameworks, including trademark usage guidelines, copyright compliance policies, and data governance protocols
Develop and implement internal IP policies, including trademark usage guidelines, copyright compliance, and data governance
Lead legal oversight for events, content production, and licensing, ensuring strategic protection of ABA’s brand and assets
Serve as a primary legal advisor on technology, digital projects, AI initiatives, software licensing, and data-related legal issues
Identify and assess legal risks related to third-party technology use, data licensing, and IP ownership, and support internal compliance with licensing terms and restrictions
Drive ABA’s enterprise AI and technology legal strategy, establishing policies and risk standards
Set internal guidelines to ensure compliance with digital and technology-related legal frameworks
Serve as subject matter expert and key legal adviser for member-facing initiatives, including webinars, working groups, and educational materials on IP and technology-related legal issues
Develop and deliver internal training related to IP, AI, technology, information security, and privacy issues
Advise senior leadership and business teams on IP, privacy, AI, and data rights issues
Conduct legal research on emerging technologies and regulatory developments affecting the banking sector, including AI, cryptocurrency, and digital currency
Drive ABA’s legal monitoring and analysis of emerging technologies and regulatory developments
Track and analyze developments in IP, technology law, and data governance that may impact the banking industry and summarize key issues for internal stakeholders and member institutions
Produce high-impact strategic assessments for internal stakeholders and ABA members
Lead cross-functional legal coordination with IT, communications, policy, and member engagement teams to advance ABA’s strategic initiatives
Direct legal strategy for cybersecurity, fintech, digital banking, and innovation
Shape ABA’s internal governance posture on technology and intellectual property
Qualification
Required
Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar
Minimum of 10+ years of relevant legal experience, with 5+ years working in a law firm or in-house legal department, with a focus on intellectual property, technology transactions, or commercial contracting
Experience with managing an end‑to‑end legal contracts function, including overseeing intake, drafting, negotiation, approval workflows, execution, and lifecycle management for a high‑volume portfolio of commercial, technology, and corporate agreements
Experience with advising stakeholders on legal, intellectual property, privacy, and regulatory risks in commercial and technology transactions
Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and delivering legal training programs for business teams, including content on contracts, compliance, intellectual property, privacy, regulatory requirements, and corporate policies
Experience conducting or overseeing legal research and analysis related to emerging technologies
Strong analytical, drafting, and negotiation skills
Ability to travel (less than 10%)
Preferred
Demonstrated ability to lead legal programs, develop policies, and drive cross-functional initiatives
Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating software licenses, data use agreements, and vendor contracts
Experience and demonstrated success with U.S. intellectual property law, including trademark, copyright, and trade secret protection
Experience owning and directing IP or technology programs is strongly preferred
Familiarity with legal issues related to cloud computing, software licensing, artificial intelligence, and digital content
Experience advising senior executives and shaping organizational legal risk strategy
Experiencing representing an organization with external audiences; excellent public speaking, verbal, and written communication skills
Experience developing, implementing, or managing enterprise governance frameworks, such as IP governance, AI governance, data governance, technology risk programs, or compliance frameworks
Benefits
Competitive pay
An outstanding benefits package
A convenient DC location
A professional collegial work environment
An opportunity to work on issues of national significance
Company
American Bankers Association
ABA is a banking trade association of community, regional, and money center banks, holding companies. It is a sub-organization of American Bankers Association.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$0M2014-01-13Seed· $0M
Leadership Team
Carolyn Criscitiello
Chair, ABA Payment Systems Administrative Council
Recent News
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