Vice President of Litigation – Irvine, California (968-SLS)

Our client, a leading innovator in high-performance memory solutions and enterprise-class storage products, is looking for a Vice President of Litigation to lead its litigation efforts, with a strong focus on semiconductor technologies, particularly DRAM memory. This role requires deep legal expertise, technical fluency in semiconductor systems, and a proven track record managing complex, high-stakes litigation and regulatory matters.

As a key member of the legal leadership team, you will collaborate closely with executive leadership, engineering, IP, compliance, and external counsel to protect the company’s interests and proactively manage litigation risk across jurisdictions.

Role and Responsibilities

Litigation Strategy & Oversight

• Advise company regarding litigation strategy and execution working with outside litigation counsel, with emphasis on DRAM and semiconductor-related IP, antitrust, trade secret, commercial, and class action matters.
• Oversee all phases of litigation, including discovery, motion practice, trial preparation, and appeals.
• Manage outside counsel relationships and litigation budgets to ensure strategic alignment and cost efficiency.
• Translate complex technical concepts into compelling legal arguments in collaboration with engineering and technical teams.

IP & Regulatory Risk Management

• Direct litigation and disputes involving patents, trade secrets, and licensing in semiconductor manufacturing and DRAM architecture.
• Provide legal risk assessments related to product development, licensing, supply chain, and customer engagements.
• Lead responses to regulatory inquiries and investigations, including antitrust and competition matters across U.S., EU, and Asia-Pacific regions.

Executive & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Advise executive leadership and the board on litigation exposure and legal risk in the context of competitive and market dynamics.
• Align legal strategy with business goals through close collaboration with engineering, IP, compliance, and business units.
• Deliver litigation updates and strategic recommendations to the board and C-suite.
• Foster a culture of excellence, ethics, and collaboration within the legal department.

Background

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and admission to the California Bar or eligible for RIHC.
• 15+ years of litigation experience, including 5+ years in a senior legal leadership role. (Partner or Counsel).
• Extensive experience in semiconductor or technology litigation, with an emphasis in patent litigation and inter partes review (IPR) proceedings before the PTAB.
• Strong technical understanding of DRAM memory, semiconductor design, and IP portfolios.

Preferred Qualifications

• In-house counsel experience at a semiconductor or technology company.
• Experience with licensing negotiations, standards-essential patents (SEPs), and industry consortia.
• Advanced technical degree (e.g., Electrical Engineering, Computer Science) is a strong plus.