Legal Counsel, Global Corporate Legal Affairs

In this global role, the Counsel, Global Corporate Legal Affairs (“Counsel”) supports the well-established intellectual property (“IP”) and subsidiary governance functions of Manulife’s Global Governance, Investments, and Transactions team. The ideal applicant will have 3-5 years of experience in IP and/or corporate law, obtained at a large national firm. As the primary focus of this role will be on IP, some prior experience with IP matters and/or a very strong interest in developing expertise in IP matters is required.  This role is based out of Manulife’s global headquarters in Toronto and reports to the AVP & Associate Chief Counsel, Head of Global Intellectual Property Law, with matrixed reporting into the AVP & Associate Chief Counsel, Global Subsidiary Governance & Head of Global Competition Law.

In respect of their IP duties, Counsel assists the AVP & Associate Chief Counsel, Head of Global Intellectual Property with centralizing Manulife’s global trademark portfolio and manages and maintains the portfolio. Duties include: drafting license agreements; assisting the IP law clerks in each relevant jurisdiction with registering/renewing trademarks; conducting research and providing search results/opinions; maintaining and monitoring copyright and patent portfolio; assisting with the negotiation of potential opposition files; assisting with domain portfolio governance and potential disputes; coordinating with Marketing representatives across the globe; liasing with our global external IP agents; and providing general legal support across the various global marketing segments.

In respect of their subsidiary governance duties, Counsel collaborates with the Centre of Excellence Lead, Senior Corporate Law Clerk, and members of the Global Subsidiary Governance Office to ensure that subsidiary governance activities are carried out in a timely and efficient manner. Duties include: drafting intercompany agreements and related documents; preparing quarterly and yearly reporting for executives and the board of directors; overseeing the preparation of materials for subsidiary board meetings; and providing general legal support relating to corporate law and governance.

Position Responsibilities:

• Drafts various IP law instruments, including: trademark license agreements, copyright license agreements, co-existence agreements, cease and desist letters, and other trademark-related documentation, including revising IP provisions within contracts across the business units.

• Assists with trademark oppositions, including negotiations, discussions with business representatives and providing instructions to global external trademark agents.

• Develops and/or revises policies and procedures relating to intellectual property (trademarks, copyright, patents, domain names), and training of same.

• Ensures the IP law clerks are submitting timely corporate and IP filings with the relevant government agencies.

• Provides guidance, as required, to corporate and IP law clerks across the enterprise.

• Monitors developments in corporate and IP law and makes recommendations for revising precedent documents and internal processes and procedures to address regulatory changes.

• Drafts various corporate law instruments, including: intercompany financing agreements and related documents supporting the implementation of intercompany transactions, complex directors’ and shareholders’ resolutions, and other instruments as required.

• Prepares insightful quarterly and yearly subsidiary governance reporting for executives and the board of directors by analyzing data, identifying trends, highlighting issues, and making practical recommendations.

• Oversees day-to-day work product of corporate law clerks in connection with routine corporate transactions and subsidiary board meetings.

• Quarterbacks, as required, corporate transactions for the Group Functions segment of the Company.

• Conducts research and prepares pragmatic legal advice, having regard for legal, regulatory, and reputational risks.

• Identifies, documents, analyzes, and constructs legal solutions to advance business objectives.

Required Qualifications:

• Law degree and admitted to practice law in the Province of Ontario.

• 3-5 years of experience practicing IP law and/or corporate law in a large national law firm and/or in-house legal department of a large public company. Some prior experience with IP matters and/or a very strong interest in developing expertise in IP matters is required.  While corporate law is an asset, training will be provided in this area.

• A continuous learning mindset and willingness to engage in formal and informal professional development activities. 

• An execution mindset, and appreciation that successful in-house lawyering is multifaceted, which involves a combination of legal and non-legal work to achieve business objectives.

• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Excellent computer skills: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and Adobe Acrobat.

• Excellent time management skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Excellent judgment.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Professional aptitude and strong work ethic.

• Ability to take charge, work independently, and proactively handle various tasks simultaneously, as well as the ability to work well in a team environment and with other departments and outside parties.

• Ability to manage projects and deliver on time.

• Ability to produce high-quality work while working under strict timelines.

• Ability to be discreet when handling confidential issues.

When you join our team:

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want. 

• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words. 

• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

#LI-Hybrid

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact recruitment@manulife.com.

Toronto, Ontario

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$117,740.00 CAD - $218,660.00 CAD

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact recruitment@manulife.com for the salary range for your location. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact recruitment@manulife.com for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.