The opportunity

We are looking for a Senior Associate specialising in contentious IP to join our fast-growing team in Dublin. This is an exciting opportunity to apply your IP knowledge to assist our clients, across a range of technically complex industries. There will be an abundance of opportunities for career development within our fast growing team in Dublin.

About us

Bird & Bird is a leading law firm in intellectual property law globally. Intellectual property sits at the heart of Ireland's economy and Ireland is a key jurisdiction for many of our clients. Our office in Dublin is growing rapidly. We are keen to hire the leading talent in intellectual property - individuals who want to build their career and reputation in a law firm known across the world as the leader in this field.

Joining Bird & Bird opens a world of possible for lawyers everywhere. Here you can advise major enterprises and high-growth businesses on matters that are often transformative in nature, alongside people who are truly collegiate in the way they work with everyone at Bird & Bird. We are one international firm, where over 70% of our work involves teams from across our firm. And that is only going to increase. It is this common purpose and shared approach that makes for a more productive, and collaborative place to work.

We have a stellar, global reputation for providing sophisticated, pragmatic advice to companies which are carving the world's digital future. We are interested in the world, current issues, and emerging trends. We use our sector understanding and legal expertise to unlock the issues. We take a commercial approach when applying the law. We advise on the cutting-edge issues facing our clients in the age of artificial intelligence.

The IP team

The IP team is part of one of the largest international IP teams in the world and it is ranked as band 1 in both Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. The team has unparalleled contentious and non-contentious capabilities in relation to all IP rights, trademarks, patents, copyright and database rights, confidential information and data privacy. We advise on IP protection, enforcement, strategic management, valuation and monetisation of IP portfolios. Considering our broad remit, our clients are a mix of the diverse and traditional.

At Bird & Bird we will want you to thrive. You will join us at our global retreats every year so you can hear about leading trends, learn about new legal developments and socialise with colleagues from all over the world. We work hard but we like to have fun too. We are a firm of brilliant IP lawyers underpinned by a brilliant culture where being the best is the norm. Dublin is an important new office for the firm, and you will be an important new member of our team who will be warmly welcomed by colleagues from Warsaw to Sydney.

What you'll do

As a member of this growing team and office the individual will be expected to:

• advise on the full range of IPRs, with a focus on brand protection, tech IP and patent litigation in the life sciences sector.
• apply their experience to provide an excellent litigation service to our clients.
• assist the IP Partners in managing the rapid growth of the practice; and
• support the strategic objectives of the firm.

The firm expects associates to advise in a way that supports our client's strategic objectives, whilst being practical and commercial. All associates become involved in in business development opportunities.

About you

The successful candidate will have:

• Ambition to be a leader in intellectual property in Ireland.
• Excellent academic achievement to include a strong technical knowledge of IP law.
• Proven experience in handling complex IP litigation (essential) within a comparable environment and at an appropriate level.
• A keen interest in relevant developing areas of law such as the Digital Services Act and Artificial Intelligence Act.
• A desire to be working in a truly international firm and to be operating in a team-based environment.
• A clear understanding of the operation and structure of a commercial law firm

In addition, we expect all our Associates to demonstrate:

• Flexibility, supporting cases across a broad range of IP litigation issues and jurisdictions.
• The ability to manage aspects of complex IP matters at an appropriate level, working efficiently and effectively alongside the partners.
• Demonstrating an appreciation of client needs and priorities.
• Demonstrating knowledge of key areas of the law by providing clear, precise, practical drafting and advice.
• The ability to liaise effectively with other fee earners within the group, and to liaise and coordinate with fee earners from other relevant disciplines and jurisdictions as required.
• Delegation and supervisory skills where appropriate.
• Being keen to work in a challenging, team-based environment.
• The willingness and ability to support business development activity, creating and maintaining strong client relationships and identifying new business opportunities with new and existing clients.
• A commitment to regularly update their own technical expertise and to achieve continuous improvement and development.
• The ability to use social media platforms (e.g. LinkedIn, Twitter) to broadcast or amplify messages and to connect with external contacts/networks.
• The ability to contribute to the general upkeep of the group (whether that be training, precedents, or know-how generally); and
• Excellent communication skills and a sense of humour.

The main responsibilities of this role are outlined above; however, this description is not exhaustive, and the job holder may be required to undertake additional duties from time to time to ensure the smooth running of the department.

Bird & Bird is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive environment. If you require any accommodations as part of the interview process please let your HR contact know.