Staff Counsel - Intellectual Property
E. & J. Gallo WineryJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
At E. & J. Gallo Winery, the Staff Counsel: IP role partners with senior IP counsel and cross-functional teams to protect and grow our portfolio through trademark clearance and enforcement, draft and negotiate IP agreements, and guide IP considerations in packaging, marketing, and product concepts, plus support acquisitions and divestitures. Located in Modesto with hybrid telecommute options, this full-time role offers a compensation range of $166,200 to $249,200, up to 5% travel, and strong benefits; sponsorship is not available. Requirements: JD plus 4 years IP practice (6+ years preferred), California Bar, proven drafting and negotiation skills, ability to manage multiple projects and influence business decisions. To apply, tailor your resume to trademark searches, enforcement, licensing, coexistence, and IP transactions; show business impact and readiness for travel; apply by 06/19/2026.
Job Req ID: 107310
Job Type: Full-time
Work Category: Hybrid Telecommute,
Application Close Date: 06/19/2026
Sponsorship: Not Available
Compensation: $ 166,200 - $ 249,200
We are GALLO
We’re a family-owned company with a 90+ year legacy, that’s consistently recognized as a Glassdoor “Best Places to Work.” We have 130+ brands in our total alcohol beverage portfolio including wine, malt, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages. We’re home to the #1 wine and spirits brands in the U.S. - Barefoot Wine & High Noon and are the official sponsors of the NFL, NHL, UFC, and PGA of America.
View our Corporate Values and Mission Statement here.
A Taste Of What You'll Do
Step into a dynamic role where you’ll partner closely with senior legal counsel, cross-functional business teams, and the Intellectual Property (IP) team to protect and elevate our portfolio. As Staff Counsel—IP, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping brand strategy by guiding trademark clearance, enforcement actions, and risk mitigation efforts that directly impact product innovation and market presence.
In this role, you’ll review and advise on product concepts, packaging, marketing, and advertising initiatives, ensuring compliance while enabling creativity. You’ll draft and negotiate a broad range of IP-related agreements, from licenses to coexistence arrangements, and collaborate with outside counsel to strategically manage complex legal matters. Your insights will help drive business decisions with clarity and confidence.
You’ll also contribute to high-impact corporate transactions, supporting acquisitions and divestitures with IP expertise. As a trusted advisor, you’ll stay ahead of evolving legal trends, develop training programs, and foster strong partnerships across the organization. If you’re energized by a fast-paced environment where legal strategy meets business innovation, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
What You’ll Need
- A Juris Doctorate plus 4 years of experience in sophisticated law firm in IP-specific legal practice, with at least 3 years of performing and advising on trademark searches and enforcement matters, contract drafting and negotiation experience, reflecting increasing levels of responsibility.
- Required to travel to company offices, sites, and/or meeting locations for onboarding, training, meetings, and events for development, department needs, and business delivery up to 5% of the time, with or without reasonable accommodation. This may be in addition to travel requirements, if applicable, as listed in this job description.
- Required to be 18 years or older. This may be in addition to other age requirements, if applicable, as listed in this job description.
How You’ll Stand Out
- A Juris Doctorate plus 6 years of experience to include general and IP-specific legal practice with at least 4 years of experience performing and advising on trademark searches and enforcement matters, and complex IP-related contract drafting and negotiation experience, reflecting increasing levels of responsibility.
- Strong background in drafting and negotiating IP agreements (coexistence, settlement, license, and assignment agreements) and supporting IP aspects of acquisitions and divestitures.
- Experience advising on IP considerations related to packaging, marketing plans, and proposals, with a working knowledge of patent law.
- Demonstrated analytical thinking, negotiation skills, business acumen, and ability to influence and build consensus in a fast-paced environment.
- Able to effectively organize time in order to meet deadlines.
- Skilled at handling multiple projects with a sense of urgency.
- Excellent organizational and verbal and written communication skills.
- California State Bar member.
To view the full job description, please click here.
Our Benefits & Perks
We are committed to providing competitive compensation, perks, and a culture that supports your well-being. Benefits depend on your work category and may include medical and dental coverage, 401k plans, profit sharing, pet insurance, company holidays, access to an employee wine shop, and more! Additional information will be provided before your first interview.
The Fine Print
- The Company does not sponsor for employment-based visas for this position now or in the future.
- Actual compensation paid within the range will be determined by factors such as the education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. In addition to the salary, this position may be eligible for bonuses, incentive plans, or participate in tasting room tip pools, as applicable.
- This position will be based in the location(s) specified in the job posting with an option for occasional telecommuting. You will be expected to live within a commutable distance.
- It is the Company’s policy for job postings to be open to internal candidates for a minimum of 5 days and to external candidates, if applicable, for a minimum of 3 days.
Gallo’s policy is to afford equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and not to discriminate on the basis of race, traits associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles (such as braids, locks, and twists), color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law (including cancer and predisposing genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, familial status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation (actual or perceived), transgender status, sex stereotyping, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, reproductive health decision making, age, military or veteran status, domestic violence or sexual assault victim status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Nor will Gallo discriminate based on a perception that an individual has any of the foregoing characteristics or is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics.
Gallo will comply with state and local laws prohibiting discrimination for lawful out-of-work behavior, such as off-duty use of cannabis away from the workplace (subject to federal and state law exceptions), the existence of non-psychoactive cannabis metabolites in hair, blood, urine, or other bodily fluids as determined by a drug screening test (subject to federal and state law exceptions).
We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Gallo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let us know at 209.341.7000.
Gallo is enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program and will use the program to verify the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees as required.
Employee Polygraph Protection Act