Chief Counsel

The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competence in various areas is grouped under five Technology Divisions: Communications Technologies, Artificial Intelligence and Trust Technologies, Advanced Electronic Components and Systems, IoT Sensing and AI Technologies, and Intelligent Perception and Control Technologies.

It is applied across six core areas which are Smart City, Financial Technologies, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Digital Health, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, and Metaverse.

Over the years, ASTRI has nurtured a pool of research, I&T talents and received numerous international awards for its pioneering innovations as well as outstanding business and community contributions. ASTRI has transferred about 1,600 technologies to the industries and has been granted close to 1,200 patents in the Mainland, the United States, and other countries.

To support our constant endeavour to position Hong Kong as a world-class smart city and an international hub of innovation and technology, we are seeking qualified professionals to fill the following position(s):

Job Responsibilities

• Formulate the strategic direction of the legal department to align with ASTRI’s business objectives.
• Ensure ASTRI’s compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
• Assist in the formulation of management policy, being a member of the executive management team, for ASTRI to comply with the applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Draft, review and negotiate contracts/agreements and provide timely risk assessment and analysis for the management’s consideration.
• Assess the legal risk of business initiatives through timely advice to the management and the relevant internal departments.
• Work closely with related department heads and key stakeholders
• Handle day-to-day legal issues and any litigation involving ASTRI and provide strategic leadership in such proceedings.
• Provide training on relevant legal matters to ASTRI’s staff.

Requirements

• The holder of a LL.B. degree (with good honors) or J.D. degree from a common law jurisdiction and is qualified to practise law in Hong Kong
• A minimum of 15 years of post-qualification experience in a reputable law firm or an in-house position. Previous working experience in the IT software/services company or high-tech industry is required. Knowledge of public sector will be an advantage.
• Lead a legal team to provide efficient and effective legal services.
• Extensive experience with in-depth knowledge of IT and IP laws.
• Excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Track record in technology licensing and intellectual property matters.
• Familiar with corporate structure and transactions on a domestic, mainland, and international level.
• Proficient in government policies, taxation, and labor law.
• Great people skill to maintain a good working relationship with other teams.
• Fluency in English, Cantonese and Putonghua (both spoken and written).
• Lives the ASTRI values.

The appointment will be on renewable contract terms with a competitive salary and performance-linked variable pay. Fringe benefits include paid leave, medical, insurance coverage and contribution to MPF. The incumbent will normally work a five-day week.

For interested parties, please submit your application with detailed CV within two weeks of the post date. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. The review of applications will continue until the post is filled.

The resume should not include any sensitive personal information such as ID card no. or travel document number, etc.

Position offer is subject to the applicant’s experience and academic qualification. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. ASTRI reserves the right not to fill the position.

ASTRI is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Personal data provided by job applicants will be used exclusively for recruitment only. For details, please refer to ASTRI Privacy Policy Statement.