Job Description Summary:
Location: Shanghai, China
Role Type: Individual Contributor
Please note: The selected candidate will need to be based in Shanghai, China. This is an Individual Contributor position.
We are seeking an experienced Paralegal Trademarks to join the Global Intellectual Property function of The Coca-Cola Company. This role supports emerging large and multi-country Operating Units, working at the center of trademark prosecution, portfolio management, brand protection, and operational excellence.
The Paralegal partners closely with trademark counsels, Operating Unit counsels, outside counsels, and the Manager, IP Operations & Governance to ensure seamless end-to-end trademark execution. This role is critical to enabling brand growth, product innovation, and market expansion across Asia and other developing regions, while maintaining strong governance, accuracy, and speed.
The ideal candidate brings deep trademark operational expertise, strong organizational discipline, regional portfolio experience, and a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
What Youâll Do:
1. Trademark Portfolio Management & Prosecution Support
Coordinate and manage trademark filings across assigned regions and global initiatives.
Prepare and support trademark applications, renewals, recordals, and prosecution documents.
Maintain accurate docketing and portfolio records throughout the full trademark lifecycle.
Monitor deadlines for office actions, oppositions, appeals, renewals, and enforcement matters.
Prepare trademark status summaries and portfolio reports for internal stakeholders.
Support coordination with external counsel on filings, prosecution, enforcement, and renewals.
Track deliverables and timelines.
2. Trademark Searches, Clearance & Research
Perform trademark availability searches and clearance support using internal tools and external databases.
Conduct legal and procedural research related to trademark practice, unfair competition, and enforcement.
Support product naming, brand extensions, and innovation initiatives through search and clearance activities.
Leverage IP systems, search platforms, and emerging technologies (including AI-enabled tools where appropriate) to enhance trademark searches, research, counterfeit monitoring, and portfolio management.
3. Competitive Monitoring, Watch Services & Evidence of Use
Monitor third-party and competitive trademark filings through watch services and local databases, escalating risks and conflicts to Trademark Counsel.
Manage and analyze trademark watch notices to identify potentially conflicting marks and coordinate timely responses.
Gather, organize, and maintain evidence of use to support use requirements, renewals, and enforcement actions across jurisdictions.
Support preparation of non-use cancellation actions and squatter challenges by compiling factual records, evidence packages, and procedural documentation.
Partner with outside counsel and the Manager, IP Operations & Governance to streamline watch workflows, improve signal-to-noise ratios, and enhance portfolio protection.
Leverage digital tools, search platforms, and analytics to improve competitive monitoring accuracy and efficiency.
4. Brand Protection, Enforcement & Domains
Support trademark infringement monitoring, including preparation of cease-and-desist letters and escalation packages.
Assist with opposition, cancellation, enforcement, and related proceedings.
Monitor domain name registrations and support cybersquatting actions.
Support trade dress and copyright protection and marketplace monitoring activities.
5. Operational Excellence & Systems Enablement
Partner closely with the Manager, IP Operations & Governance on docketing accuracy, systems usage, workflow optimization, and standardization initiatives.
Ensure timely and accurate updates in IP management systems and search platforms.
Support implementation of global SOPs, templates, and operational best practices.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across trademark operations.
Bring a digitally forward mindset to trademark operations, actively embracing new technologies and tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
Partner with the Manager, IP Operations & Governance to pilot and adopt digital solutions that optimize resources, reduce manual processing, and improve data quality.
Continuously seek opportunities to automate routine tasks and strengthen data-driven decision making across trademark operations.
Support onboarding, training and due diligence of vendors and external counsels.
6. Budget Management, Vendor Enablement & Systems Administration
Support Trademark Counsel with budget tracking and cost management across assigned portfolios.
Assist with onboarding external counsel and vendors onto Company billing systems and Anaqua, including creation of firm profiles, matters, and portfolio records.
Create and maintain records and matters within Anaqua and related IP systems to ensure accurate portfolio and financial tracking.
Validate outside counsel invoices for accuracy, alignment with agreed fee arrangements, and proper matter attribution prior to approval.
Coordinate with IP Operations and Finance teams to resolve billing discrepancies and improve invoice processing efficiency.
Leverage digital tools and reporting dashboards to improve visibility into spend, workload, and portfolio health.
7. Cross-Functional & Regional Collaboration
Work closely with trademark counsels, Operating Unit legal teams, Food Law counsel, and brand stakeholders on portfolio and innovation matters.
Develop strong working relationships with brand managers and regional business teams.
Participate in meetings and calls with global colleagues and external counsel.
Serve as a trusted operational partner across multi-country portfolios.
What Weâre Looking For:
Bachelorâs degree
Minimum 3+ years of trademark paralegal experience in a reputable law firm or in-house environment with a global trademark portfolio.
Experience managing highâvolume, highâvalue trademark portfolios; global portfolio exposure preferred.
Knowledge of trademark lifecycle management, prosecution procedures, and renewal practices.
Expertise with IP management systems and trademark search tools.
Organizational skills with high attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple jurisdictions and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Mandarin would be a strong advantage.
Collaborative mindset with ability to work across cultures and time zones.
Experience in FMCG, consumer goods, or similar industries preferred.
What We Can Do For YouÂ
Opportunity to support iconic global brands in high-growth markets.
Exposure to complex, multi-country trademark portfolios.
Collaborative, purpose-driven legal organization.
Professional development and international experience.
Competitive compensation and benefits.
Platform to grow into advanced IP operations or paralegal leadership roles.
Success Profile for the First 12 Months:
Establish strong working partnership with Trademark Counsel and Manager, IP Operations & Governance.
Deliver accurate and timely trademark filings and docketing across assigned portfolios.
Successfully support priority brand launches and innovation initiatives.
Improve portfolio visibility and reporting quality.
Demonstrate consistent deadline compliance and reduced operational errors.
Build trusted relationships with Operating Unit stakeholders and outside counsel.
Contribute to implementation of standardized workflows and best practices.
Behaviors Indicators:
Operational Excellence
Effective: Maintains accurate trademark records and documentation.
Exceptional: Drives best in class trademark operations. Maintains highly accurate records while leveraging automation and analytics to improve speed and quality.
Collaboration
Effective: Supports legal teams and works smoothly with partners to get work done.
Exceptional: Becomes an indispensable regional partner who is relied on for sound judgment, responsiveness, and follow through.
Ownership
Effective: Delivers assigned tasks on time with minimal follow up.
Exceptional: Proactively identifies risks a
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