Director, Patent Litigation

Join the leader in entertainment innovation and help us design the future. At Dolby, science meets art, and high tech means more than computer code. As a member of the Dolby team, you’ll see and hear the results of your work everywhere, from movie theaters to smartphones. We continue to revolutionize how people create, deliver, and enjoy entertainment worldwide. To do that, we need the absolute best talent. We’re big enough to give you all the resources you need, and small enough so you can make a real difference and earn recognition for your work. We offer a collegial culture, challenging projects, and excellent compensation and benefits.

For this high functioning team, the nature of the work benefits from frequent in-office presence, and employees may be expected to work from a company office up to four days per week. While we remain committed to flexibility, this team’s rhythm includes regular in-person connection to support collaboration, learning, and impact.

The Legal  Department provides core legal support to all Dolby functions, runs several IP-centric businesses, and leads government relations.

Reporting to the Vice President of Litigation

As a senior legal strategist, the Director, Head of Patent Litigation plays a pivotal role in aligning Dolby’s litigation approach with its broader business goals, focusing on defending innovations in close partnership with business teams. This position offers a unique opportunity to directly lead critical litigation while shaping long-term strategy in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities :

• Lead end-to-end litigation efforts, from early-stage program development through factual and legal analysis (e.g., infringement reads, market analysis) to final judgment and enforcement.
• Oversee strategic planning and manage outside counsel to ensure alignment and execution across various patent programs.
• Assess, communicate, and mitigate risk while identifying new opportunities and approaches, leveraging knowledge of industry trends and the competitive landscape.
• Supervise discovery processes and review legal filings with a focus on overall program and business strategy, attention to detail, and risk management.

Success in This Role Requires :

Leadership Expectations :

Basic Qualifications :

Proven success in : Managing and developing innovative strategies for patent litigation

Implementing global strategies and initiatives, both substantive and operational

Leading litigation efforts and teams in a matrixed environment

Negotiating and securing favorable settlement agreements

Preferred Qualifications :

The San Francisco / Bay Area base salary range for this full-time position is $225,000 - 318,000, which can vary if outside this location,plus bonus, benefits, and some roles may also include equity. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, competencies, experience, market demands, internal parity, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range and perks and benefits for your location during the hiring process.