The Group

Our highly regarded tier 1 IP Disputes group operates across the broadest possible spectrum. Set up over 20 years ago, lawyers in the group have acted in some of the most significant and influential IP disputes of recent years. We are one of a select group of firms to have taken both patent, supplementary protection certificates and trade mark cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union and the Supreme Court. Our experience is wide and varied, ranging from cross-border patent revocation and infringement actions through to trade marks, designs and copyright litigation involving household brands, famous designs and celebrated artistic works, films and broadcasts.

The Patent Team

The Patent Team is part of our broader IP Disputes group. The team consists of highly experienced patent litigation Partners and Associates, with regular involvement in significant volume High Court patent cases, UPC actions and other cross-border patent cases. The integrated Patent team comprises Patent Attorneys, with specialist technical backgrounds, providing seamless expertise in EPO Oppositions, prosecution and UPC revocation actions.

Duties and Responsibilities

The role will primarily involve advising on a varied range of disputes and related advisory work concerning patent (including in relation to SPCs, FRAND disputes and freedom to operate) in the High Court, IPEC and the UPC.

On occasion, the team's work also involves advising on some more commercial disputes, to which there will be an IP angle, although the actual claim may be in contract, fraud or tort, such as licensing disputes.

You will have every opportunity to engage in all aspects of the life and business of the IP Disputes 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

• The ideal candidate will have 3-6 years PQE gained within contentious IP, within private practice.
• Experience of patent litigation is essential.
• A passion for IP, with a solid grounding in its basics, and a commitment to building a career in IP.
• A science background would be helpful but is not a prerequisite.
• Undertaken the Oxford IP Diploma or an interest in doing so.
• 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 seven core practice areas: Corporate; Dispute Resolution; Employment; Impact; Innovation; Private; and Real Estate.

The Mishcon de Reya Group includes consultancy businesses MDR Discover, MDR Mayfair (in London, Singapore and Dubai), MDR ONE, MDRi (in Hong Kong) 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 about flexible working.

#LI-Hybrid