IP Associate

The role

Our IP group in London has nearly doubled in size in the last 2 years and is one of the firms priorities for further growth both in the UK and internationally. 

As part of those growth objectives we are seeking an experienced and confident mid-level IP associate ideally with experience both in litigation and non-contentious advisory IP work to join our London office. 

Our IP group undertakes a diverse range of IP work for an equally diverse client base; from trade mark prosecution to enforcement freedom to operate analysis to patent strategies tech based disputes through to complex settlements or multi-jurisdictional licensing transactions our group deals with the full variety of IP rights on a global basis and across multiple sectors. This role is therefore ideal for any candidate who seeks variety challenge and interesting work that hits the headlines.

Who you will work with

Our IP group is growing both in the UK and internationally. It sits at the heart of and is integral to the firms priority focus to support its clients across all sectors but with a focus in the healthcare digital technology consumer groups and financial market sectors.

We provide our global clients with a broad range of specialist and dedicated IP services comprising litigation transactional strategy and prosecution services. The London IP Group is part of our global IP practice which comprises over 100 lawyers internationally and is mandated to grow substantially over the next few years.

We work in a dedicated IP group on global assignments often involving the firms IP lawyers from across our international offices.  In additional to standalone IP advisory transactional and litigation matters our IP lawyers also support other groups around the firm on IP aspects of their mandates including our Tech/Digital group corporate/M&A our anti-trust teams and commercial litigators

What you will be responsible for

You will be responsible for a wide variety of work in IP-rich sectors and clients including technology life sciences and fast-moving consumer goods.

Standalone IP advice on licensing transaction structuring infringement clearance and prosecution strategy and validity issues.

Current examples of work includes:

• Cases before the UK IPO and CJEU
• IP Strategy and counselling;
• High Court proceedings in the fields of trade marks and life sciences.
• Complex cross-border IP licensing across multiple sectors including life sciences FMCG and technology;
• Parallel imports and IP settlements;

Patent and trade mark freedom to operate opinions

Qualifications :

Your experience

We are looking for an outstanding Mid-Level IP lawyer with both contentious and transactional experience as well as advisory work across a range of industry sectors including life sciences Tech and FMCG. In all cases candidates should have first class legal ability having practised in the IP field coupled with a practical commercial approach excellent drafting and communication skills and enjoy being part of a friendly outgoing and collaborative team which is strong in originating its own mandates. 

In order to provide outstanding client service we need to understand anticipate and fulfil the unique needs and expectations of each client. We call this Client Focus and to help deliver this core part of our business strategy we want to recruit lawyers who are not only technically excellent but who are also client focused.

We are looking for lawyers who can demonstrate a keen interest and enthusiasm to learn about our clients business work in teams motivating and coaching their juniors and contributing to overall success. Lawyers who are empathetic self-motivated collaborative responsive and reliable who are also commercial and innovative in the solutions they deliver to clients and are good at fostering relationships with short we are looking for lawyers who are or have the potential to be excellent client managers.

Whilst not a requirement we are especially interested in applicants who are taking or have taken practical post qualification IP courses such as the courses offered by Oxford University and UCL IBIL.

We are looking for lawyers who:

• can demonstrate a keen interest and enthusiasm to learn about our clients business;
• can work in teams sharing knowledge and motivating and coaching their juniors and contributing to overall success;
• are empathetic responsive and reliable;
• are commercial and innovative in the solutions they deliver to clients; and
• are good at fostering relationships with clients;

How we will support you

From your first day with us you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and develop your skills and knowledge. From formal training informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning.

Our partners are approachable have a genuine interest in you and in your career. We operate on a non-hierarchical collegiate and mutual respect basis.

Our goal is to nurture the talent of our firm encourage our team to grow and broaden their expertise and experience (rather than narrow and pigeonhole their career) and transform themselves into the trusted professional advisor sought by our Clients.

Additional Information :

Hybrid Working

This role follows our balanced hybrid working approach and as long as business needs allow you will be supported to work in a hybrid way with the expectation of working from the office for a minimum of 50% of your time.

What we offer including our broad range of benefits and working environment

When you join Clifford Chance you will have access to a broad range of benefits to support you across many aspects of your personal and professional life including financial wellbeing lifestyle and family friendly benefits. For more information on what we offer specifically in the UK please visit our What We Offer page on our career site. 

Equal Opportunities

At Clifford Chance we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families our firm and society. 

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender gender identity and expression marital or civil partnership status race colour national or ethnic origin social or economic background disability religious belief sexual orientation or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection terms and conditions of employment including pay promotion training transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.

Find out more about our inclusive culture here

#LI-Hybrid

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time