As Senior Counsel, Global Alliances Legal, you will join a team of attorneys who support AbbVie’s global alliances organization. You will help shape AbbVie’s strategic collaborations with China-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners by providing practical, business-minded legal counsel across the full lifecycle of complex R&D collaborations — from alliance governance and contract interpretation to amendments, dispute resolution, partner engagement, and strategic program development.

You will work closely with Global Alliances, R&D, business development, regulatory, intellectual property, data privacy, operations, commercial, and other corporate functions to advance AbbVie’s collaboration strategy and support the development of innovative medicines.

You will also serve as a trusted legal advisor on U.S.-China regulatory and health-authority matters affecting current and prospective collaborations and R&D strategies involving drug development in China — including China’s Human Genetic Resources (HGR) regulations, the U.S. BIOSECURE Act, DOJ Bulk Data Transfer rules, proposed outbound investment restrictions on biotechnology, and U.S. and China foreign investment frameworks. This role suits a collaborative problem solver who works at the intersection of science, law, U.S.-China relations, and global partnership management — and who is motivated to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives.

Responsibilities

• Work with Global Alliances, R&D leadership, asset strategy teams, disease strategy teams, and other stakeholders to align legal strategy with portfolio objectives and support collaborative decision-making across the product lifecycle.
• Advise on and track U.S.-China legal, regulatory, and policy frameworks affecting pharmaceutical collaborations and drug development involving China, including China’s HGR regulations, the BIOSECURE Act, DOJ Bulk Data Transfer rules, proposed outbound investment restrictions on biotechnology, U.S. and China foreign investment frameworks, and related requirements. Translate developments into actionable guidance for Global Alliances, R&D, regulatory, and other stakeholders.
• Develop or support training and guidance on the frameworks described above as needed.
• Advise on alliance and collaboration matters involving China-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners, focusing on practical legal solutions that support effective governance, execution, and long-term partnership value.
• Interpret and analyze complex strategic agreements — including licenses, collaborations, co-development arrangements, and other alliances — and provide clear legal advice to business clients and leadership on issues arising from partnered R&D, manufacturing, supply, and commercialization activities.
• Draft, review, and negotiate amendments, governance documents, dispute resolutions, operational agreements, and other documents supporting the post-execution lifecycle of strategic collaborations.
• Collaborate with the Transactions Legal team and business development to evaluate, structure, and negotiate new collaborations with China-based counterparties, including deal structuring, due diligence, risk assessment, drafting, and integration planning.

This role requires in-office presence at least three days per week at Abbott Park in North Chicago, IL, or at AbbVie’s offices in Waltham, MA or South San Francisco, CA