The Department

Protecting and commercially exploiting intellectual property (IP) should be at the heart of most companies business strategy. IP is an often under-represented asset, and one which can have a direct impact on the bottom line. We are one of the largest IP teams in London and we help the owners of some of the world's best-known rights create, protect and exploit their IP.

Our team provides our clients with a complete range of IP-related services: freedom to operate advice and analysis; patent challenge and enforcement litigation; trade mark and design portfolio management; franchising and licensing, the experience and know-how to take on the role of strategic advisor in pursuit of key business objectives; and handling IP infringements swiftly and tenaciously. Consequently we have a broad range of high profile clients including Sky, Entain (the owner of Ladbrokes and Coral amongst many other gaming brands), Nintendo, Iceland Foods, Dr Reddy's, Hewlett Packard and Alexander McQueen.

We are regularly instructed in high-stakes and complex litigation and enforcement work, including ground breaking cases before the UK and EU Courts. Example cases in recent years include: Sky v. SkyKick (CJEU and Court of Appeal), Lupin v. Gilead (CJEU and Court of Appeal), Nintendo v. Sky (first ever blocking injunction based upon technological protection measures), Iceland v. Iceland (EUIPO Grand Board of Appeal), Dr Reddy's v. Warner Lambert (largest ever damages claim in the Patents Court under a cross undertaking), Jack Wills v. House of Fraser, and Rihanna v TopShop.

Duties and Responsibilities

The role will involve advising on a varied range of IP advisory and disputes work, particularly in relation to soft IP matters (trade marks, designs and copyright). This will include day-to-day portfolio management, and worldwide filing, prosecution and enforcement and Registry dispute work at the UKIPO and other IP offices around the world.

The candidate will have every opportunity to engage in all aspects of the life and business of both the IP team, the wider Innovation Department and the Firm, ranging from business development, client care, training and learning, social impact, health and well-being projects. Our associates are never "too junior" to take on leadership roles.

Skills/Experience

• 2 years PQE gained within IP in private practice.
• We welcome applications from qualified solicitors or qualified TM Attorneys.
• A passion for IP, with a solid grounding in its basics, and a commitment to building a career in IP.
• Experience of advising on trade mark and design strategy, clearance, prosecution, monitoring, portfolio management and enforcement.
• Knowledge and experience of working with the UKIPO, EUIPO and WIPO.
• Excellent written and interpersonal skills.
• Able to manage a diverse portfolio of client work allocated by the Group partners.
• Able to work independently and manage a varied workload, ensuring excellent communication lines with Matter Partners.
• Excellent team working skills.
• At all times, to exercise high standards of client care and service in a professional and pleasant manner.
• Strong organisational and prioritising skills, in order to meet the demands of challenging and commercial internal and external clients and competing priorities.
• Personable and confident, able to ensure good working relationships with colleagues, clients and external organisations.
• Resilient and calm under pressure.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrates a hunger to undertake business development activities, both internally amongst colleagues across the firm, and externally to existing and potential new clients.
• Takes responsibility for and attends to self-development.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

About The Mishcon de Reya Group

The Mishcon de Reya Group is an independent, international professional services business with law at its heart, employing over 1450 people with over 650 lawyers. It includes the law firm Mishcon de Reya LLP and a collection of leading consultancy businesses that complement the firm's legal services.

Mishcon de Reya LLP is based in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore and Hong Kong (through its association with Karas So LLP). The firm services an international community of clients and provides advice in situations where the constraints of geography often do not apply. Its work is cross-border, multi-jurisdictional and complex, spanning six core practice areas: Corporate; Dispute Resolution; Employment; Innovation; Private; and Real Estate.

The Mishcon de Reya Group includes consultancy businesses MDR Cyber, MDR Discover, MDR Mayfair (in London, Singapore and Dubai),MDR One, MDRi and MDRx. The Group also includes MDR Lab, which invests in the most promising early stage legaltech companies as well as the Mishcon Academy, its in-house place of learning and platform for thought leadership.

Earlier this year, the Group announced its first strategic acquisition in the alternative legal services market, flexible legal resourcing business Flex Legal. It also acquired a majority stake in Somos, a global group actions management business.

We strive to create a fully diverse and inclusive workplace where all our people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We are proud of our agile working culture and are always happy to talk flexible working.

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