Job Description

At Bristol Myers Squibb, we are inspired by a single vision – transforming patients’ lives through science. In oncology, hematology, immunology and cardiovascular disease – and one of the most diverse and promising pipelines in the industry – each of our passionate colleagues contribute to innovations that drive meaningful change. We bring a human touch to every treatment we pioneer. Join us and make a difference.

Position Summary

Aligning with our focus on cultural transformation towards diversity and inclusivity, the Bristol Myers Squibb Law Department is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion, both within our organization and in the overall legal profession. The Summer Internship Program, sponsored by the Law Department’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, is designed for law students who are interested in experiencing the practice of law within a multifaceted and engaged corporate law department.

Program Details

The summer internship program offers law students valuable career development opportunities by providing client- and customer-focused assignments under the supervision of various members of our Law Department.  Interns will be assigned to specific groups within the Department, including Commercialization Development Law and Market Compliance; Corporate/Transactional; Global Product Development and Supply; Employment Law; Patient, Data & Privacy; Corporate Governance/Securities; Intellectual Property; Compliance and Ethics; and Litigation. These positions are based primarily at our offices in Central New Jersey but may support multiple geographies. Summer internships are paid, but not expected to lead to an offer of full-time employment.

In addition to gaining in-house experience, our program provides learning opportunities in different areas of the law relevant to the pharmaceutical industry.  Past activities have included direct exposure with clients and outside counsel, networking opportunities, seminars conducted by senior management, career development programs, tours of our manufacturing facilities, and an opportunity to present to our General Counsel and her senior leadership team.

The internship program will:

• Introduce law students to the varied and complex legal issues encountered in a corporate legal setting
• Expose law students to various career paths available in a corporate legal setting
• Match students with mentors at Bristol Myers Squibb who can provide ongoing guidance on professional development throughout their academic and professional careers
• Compensate interns in the amount of $10,000 over the course of a ten-week program, assuming they work the expected 40 hours each week.  The program will run from May 23, 2022 until July 29, 2022.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking qualified law students of diverse backgrounds who are interested in obtaining a unique experience within a world-class corporate law department.
• Students should have excellent academic credentials and communication skills. Applicants should also possess outstanding interpersonal skills, due to the high level of contact with clients and leaders across the organization  
• A biology or chemistry background is strongly preferred for any candidates interested in patent law.  

How to Apply (follow instructions fully)

Students interested in applying for this law department internship must apply via the Bristol Myers Squibb Workday posting by January 10, 2022. Applicants must attach one PDF document with the applicant’s name as the title, to their Workday application. The application must include the below items in the following order:

• A current resume (including current law school GPA, if available); and
• A cover letter containing the following information:
  • Name of Law School and Expected Graduation Year
  • A numbered list of the student’s top 3 areas of interest in order of preference.  Please choose 3 of the focus areas listed below.
  • A statement about why the student is an excellent candidate for the program and specifically how the student would contribute to the program.
  • A statement of how the student’s life experiences have informed their views on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Areas of Focus and Associated Responsibilities

Commercialization and Development Law and Market Compliance

• Develop an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the commercialization and development of pharmaceutical products
• Provide solutions-oriented legal and regulatory advice to business teams regarding the sale and marketing of Bristol Myers Squibb products including the appropriate development and use of promotional and non-promotional materials

Transactional/Contracts

• Reviewing and drafting contracts
• Attending counseling sessions with clients and negotiations with opposing counsel
• Developing contract templates and negotiation playbooks
• Researching evolving areas of transactional law
• Developing training programs for contracting teams

Employment Law

• Developing knowledge of employment laws
• Researching questions of law
• Participating in client meetings
• Helping to develop policies or best practices
• Providing input on confidential employee investigations
• Attending mediations, depositions, and hearings for any ongoing employment litigation or dispute

Patient, Data & Privacy Law

• Developing knowledge in the areas of privacy globally which includes following the development of new laws and regulations in this growing area
• Assisting with respect to legal questions concerning the conduct of clinical trials and related company initiatives
• Assisting practice group attorneys with respect to the issues concerning laws and regulations involving drug safety
• Building knowledge with respect to patient advocacy & philanthropy and understanding available structures and mechanisms to assist patients in need
• Researching general questions of law as necessary
• Participating in client meetings and legal practice group meetings

Patents

• Assisting in the preparation of USPTO and ex-US patent office responses
• Participating in counseling sessions with clients and litigation meetings
• Researching areas of patent law
• Developing knowledge of US and ex-US Patent Law

Litigation

• Attend witness meetings and court proceedings
• Research issues and prepare memoranda relating to litigation, including antitrust litigation, products liability, securities litigation, contract disputes, and patent litigation
• Participate in strategy calls and meetings regarding litigation and government investigations

Global Product Development and Supply

• Assist with responses to Health Authority inspections and internal audits in Quality, Environmental Health and Safety and other manufacturing matters
• Participate in meetings regarding manufacturing, distribution, quality, supply chain and product             development
• Review and edit third party agreements in connection with manufacturing, supply and distribution of BMS products
• Assist with development of contract templates and training programs for contracting teams
• Research issues regarding Quality, Safety, Regulations, Customs and Trade (Import and Export)

Corporate Governance/Securities

• Develop an understanding of U.S. Securities laws and general corporate governance principles
• Review and update public securities disclosures, including proxy statement for annual shareholder meeting
• Research and benchmark evolving trends and updates in corporate governance
• Participate in quarterly disclosure process, including attending disclosure committee meetings and reviewing and editing quarterly report on Form 10-Q

Compliance & Ethics

• Develop an understanding of how the Compliance & Ethics team empowers BMS to lead with integrity and protect the interests of the company and its patients
• Gain exposure to the four Compliance & Ethics Centers of Expertise (Integrity Line & Investigations; Monitoring, Analytics & Third-Party Due Diligence; Education, Communication, Procedural Documents, Ombudsman; and Global Market Compliance and Compliance Committees)
• Assist with data analytics and third-party due diligence projects to drive compliance with healthcare laws and regulations globally (e.g., FCPA, anti-kickback, PhRMA code, etc.)
• Participate in global compliance projects with opportunities to learn about our global Compliance & Ethics Program and engage with compliance colleagues from around the world.
• Research issues relating to internal investigations

Around the world, we are passionate about making an impact on the lives of patients with serious diseases. Empowered to apply our individual talents and diverse perspectives in an inclusive culture, our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives.