Lead Counsel, IP; SF

Overview

Join the Sleep Fitness Movement at Eight Sleep. We’re on a mission to fuel human potential through optimal sleep by building the most advanced hardware, software, and AI technology to make sleep a personalized, data-driven recovery experience. Our products power peak mental, physical, and emotional performance by transforming every night of sleep into a personalized recovery experience.

We are trusted by high performers, professional athletes, and health-conscious consumers in over 30 countries worldwide. Recognized as one of Fast Company s Most Innovative Companies in 2019, 2022, and 2023, and twice named to TIME s Best Inventions of the Year. We operate like a high-performance team: fast, focused, and motivated by impact. Every role at Eight Sleep is a chance to create cutting-edge technology, collaborate with world-class talent, and help shape a future where sleep isn’t passive – it’s a powerful tool for living better.

High standards. No apologies. We operate with intensity because our mission demands it. We bring the mindset of world s top performers: focused, relentless, and always pushing to be in the top 1% of our craft. This isn’t a 9-to-5; we’re a team that puts in the extra effort to deliver impact.

We are looking for a passionate, aggressive, and skilled IP lawyer to serve as Lead Counsel, IP. Reporting to our CFO, this is a highly critical role and will own IP efforts on a global scale across Eight Sleep’s suite of hardware, software, and other products. You will partner closely with the CEO, CFO, and heads of R&D and Operations to develop a proactive global IP strategy across our product portfolio.

You will be responsible for harvesting new IP, submitting filings, and responding to office actions. You will be the main point of contact with external legal counsel and will manage the IP budget.

Location: NY, SF, Boston, or remote.

• Develop and execute Eight Sleep’s global IP strategy across patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
• Manage the preparation, filing, and prosecution of patent and trademark applications, leveraging external counsel where appropriate.
• Conduct FTO, prior art, and clearance analyses to support product development and commercialization.
• Oversee IP due diligence for strategic partnerships and other business transactions.
• Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice on IP matters, including risk assessment and enforcement strategy.
• Support global brand protection, including domain management and enforcement against infringement or counterfeiting.
• Oversee broader legal issues including employment law, commercial partnerships and vendor agreements.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, automation, and operational excellence within the function.

• J.D. degree
• Active membership in at least one US state bar and eligibility to obtain in-house counsel status where required
• 5-10 years of legal experience as a practicing attorney, including 2-4 years at a tier I law firm
• Strong experience with patent prosecution, portfolio management, and global IP strategy in the technology sector, preferably with consumer hardware experience
• Experience with commercial agreements and partnerships
• Excellent communication and demonstrated ability to operate proactively, collaborate, and build cross-functional relationships with legal and business partners
• Experience managing outside counsel and coordinating global IP protection strategies
• A hands-on, self-starter mentality with the ability to operate independently and drive initiatives forward with minimal direction

• Competitive total compensation package including company equity
• Salary range: $275k – $325k plus equity, depending on experience, location, and qualifications

Innovation in a culture of excellence
Join us in a workplace where innovation isn’t just encouraged – it’s a standard. Our flagship product, the Pod, is a testament to our culture of excellence, beloved by hundreds of thousands of customers worldwide.

Immediate responsibility and accelerated career growth
From your first day, you’ll take on substantial responsibilities that have…