Sr. Paralegal, Global Intellectual Property
Location : Hershey, PA
Department : Legal
Summary of Role :
We’re looking for a Senior Paralegal, Global Intellectual Property (“Senior Paralegal”) to help protect and grow Hershey’s iconic brands worldwide. The Senior Paralegal role will report directly to the Senior Counsel, Global Intellectual Property (“Sr. Counsel”). Under attorney supervision, this position will provide high-level paralegal support in complex and highly confidential legal areas in furtherance of legal and enterprise objectives. The Senior Paralegal will play an integral role in managing the complete lifecycle of the global trademark portfolio, partner closely with brands teams (review packaging, labeling, and advertising), and support enforcement and disputes.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the global trademark lifecycle for assigned brands: search & clearance (U.S./international), filings and prosecution, watch services, renewals/maintenance, and portfolio reporting.
- Review packaging, labeling, and advertising to reinforce brand usage standards and risk mitigation.
- Support enforcement: draft cease‑and‑desist letters, coordinate platform takedowns, assist TTAB oppositions/cancellations, manage UDRP/ICANN actions, and compile evidence.
- Own docketing, deadlines, and matter coordination; prepare IP evidence (use, sales, marketing).
- Assist in IP aspects of M&A diligence, including assignments and recordals.
- Drive portfolio governance: audit IP records and SOP adherence; build KPI dashboards.
- Design and deliver training and practical playbooks for non‑legal stakeholders.
The successful candidate should have experience assessing and implementing IP management best practices, be passionate about Hershey’s iconic brands, and be able to pivot and adapt quickly to support the business’ priorities.
Role Responsibilities :
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Assist the Sr. Counsel, Global Intellectual Property as the business and brand team’s initial point of contact:
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* Develop a deep understanding of client businesses and their products to aid in proactive management of your assigned trademark portfolio.- Review product labeling, marketing, and advertising material to ensure appropriate use of IP assets.
- Manage process and workflow of the global trademark portfolio, including trademark searches and filings, and enforcement matters.
- Assist the Sr. Counsel on intellectual property-related matters:
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* Manage process and workflow of IP disputes (oppositions, cancellations, infringements, UDRP proceedings and counterfeits)- Manage the IP docket and deadlines for the assigned IP portfolio.
- Review and gather information necessary to support IP-related filings and challenges to potential infringement of the company’s IP portfolio, including sales figures and marketing materials.
- Assist in corporate M&A activity, including the preparation and/or analysis of IP portfolios.
- Manage trademark renewals and maintenance.
- Conduct training for business teams on trademark and copyrights, use of IP databases and platforms, as well as assist in producing educational materials for the business.
Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities :
* Strong paralegal skills to conduct legal research, analyze issues and prepare/review drafts of legal documents, ensuring that they meet legal requirements and deadlines.
* Ability to present statements of fact, law, and basic legal strategy clearly, logically, and concisely.
* Ability to develop effective working relationships cross-functionally.
* Independent self-starter with the ability to initiate and manage multiple projects for multiple attorneys simultaneously.
* Flexibility to respond to multiple and often-changing priorities on a global level.
* Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and follow through.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills
* Proactively raise, recommend, and resolve issues.
* Ability to handle confidential information and develop trusting relationships, using a high degree of tact, discretion, and diplomacy.
* Ability to use sound judgment, work independently, set priorities, and organize work to accomplish complex tasks efficiently within stringent deadlines.
* High degree of skill in computer and information technology resources; specifically, but not limited to, Microsoft Office 365, Anaqua, Legal Tracker, and online court filing platforms.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements :
- Education –
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred
- Paralegal Degree or Certification required
- Experience –
- At least 7+ years of experience in law firm or corporate setting with:
- Dedicated trademark paralegal experience managing US and global portfolios.
- Experience supporting enforcement matters and collecting evidence.
- Outstanding time-management and prioritization skills.
- Strong organization, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- USPTO filings (applications, Office Actions, ITU/SOU, Sections 8/15, renewals) and TTAB support.
- Experience coordinating and managing foreign associates and domain-name enforcement (UDRP/ICANN).
- Technology Proficiency: Microsoft Office 365, Anaqua, TEAS/TMEP, SAEGIS/Corsearch.
The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.
You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application process as a result of a disability.
You can request an accommodation via phone or email.
To request an accommodation via phone, please call +1 877-804-1794 and leave a voicemail with your contact information. You may also email a request for accommodation to ApplicationHelp@hersheys.com. Please be sure to include “Accommodation Needed” in the subject line. This will ensure that your email is routed to the appropriate contact who will handle your request.
