Associate / Senior Associate (Trade Marks)

Spruson&Ferguson; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid parental leave

IP Day

Wellbeing Hub

Hybrid working

Career development

Fresh fruit

Job summary

Spruson & Ferguson Australia is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate to join our Trade Marks Practice Group in Melbourne (with opportunities in Sydney or Brisbane). You will advise on Australian, New Zealand and international trade mark matters, manage portfolios, and collaborate with leading IP professionals to deliver practical client outcomes across a diverse client base.

The role offers a full-time permanent position with hybrid working arrangements and opportunities for career

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years' experience in trade marks (as a Trade Marks Attorney, IP Lawyer or related professional).
• Strong knowledge of Australian, New Zealand and international trade mark laws and procedures.
• Experience advising on prosecution, portfolio management and brand protection strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with a client-focused, commercially minded approach.

Responsibilities

• Advising clients on trade mark portfolio strategies and brand protection.
• Conducting trade mark availability searches and preparing reports and recommendations.
• Managing Australian, New Zealand and international trade mark applications, including Madrid Protocol matters.
• Advising on and responding to Trade Mark Examiner's Reports.
• Advising and representing clients in trade mark disputes, including oppositions and non-use proceedings.
• Preparing evidence and supporting documentation for trade mark disputes and hearings.
• Conducting due diligence and conflict checks.
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships through responsive, commercially focused advice.
• Collaborating with colleagues across practice groups and offices to deliver exceptional client outcomes.
• Participating in business development, networking and industry activities to support the growth of the practice.

Skills

Trade marks

IP law

Client relations

Proactive planning

Job description

Associate / Senior Associate (Trade Marks)

Spruson & Ferguson is a leading intellectual property (IP) firm operating across the Asia-Pacific region. With more than 130 years of experience, we provide specialist IP services from our offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as through Spruson & Ferguson Asia in Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Singapore. Our multidisciplinary team of more than 500 professionals includes some of the most highly regarded IP practitioners in the Asia-Pacific region.

Spruson & Ferguson is part of the IPH Group (IPH Limited), the first intellectual property services group to be listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

Spruson & Ferguson is a leading intellectual property (IP) firm operating across the Asia-Pacific region. With more than 130 years of experience, we provide specialist IP services from our offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as through Spruson & Ferguson Asia in Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Singapore. Our multidisciplinary team of more than 500 professionals includes some of the most highly regarded IP practitioners in the Asia-Pacific region.

Spruson & Ferguson is part of the IPH Group (IPH Limited), the first intellectual property services group to be listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

We are seeking a talented and commercially minded Associate or Senior Associate to join our high-performing Trade Marks Practice Group. This full-time, permanent opportunity is available in our Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane office and is open to candidates with approximately 3-5+ years' experience, whether as a Trade Marks Attorney, IP Lawyer or legal professional specialising in trade marks, depending on skills, experience and level of appointment. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a diverse client base, advising on Australian, New Zealand and international trade mark matters while collaborating with some of the industry's leading intellectual property professionals.

About the Role

Reporting to the Trade Mark Practice Group Leader and Principals, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality trade mark services and strategic advice to clients across a broad range of industries.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Advising clients on trade mark portfolio strategies and brand protection.
• Conducting trade mark availability searches and preparing reports and recommendations.
• Managing Australian, New Zealand and international trade mark applications, including Madrid Protocol matters.
• Advising on and responding to Trade Mark Examiner's Reports.
• Advising and representing clients in trade mark disputes, including oppositions and non-use proceedings.
• Preparing evidence and supporting documentation for trade mark disputes and hearings.
• Conducting due diligence and conflict checks.
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships through responsive and commercially focused advice.
• Collaborating with colleagues across practice groups and offices to deliver exceptional client outcomes.
• Participating in business development, networking and industry activities to support the growth of the practice.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Approximately 3-5+ years' experience in trade marks, gained as a Trade Marks Attorney, IP Lawyer, or legal professional specialising in trade mark matters.
• Strong knowledge of Australian, New Zealand and international trade mark laws, procedures and practices.
• Experience advising clients on trade mark prosecution, portfolio management and brand protection strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex trade mark matters in a clear and practical way.
• A client-focused approach and the ability to deliver commercial, pragmatic advice.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• High attention to detail and sound professional judgement.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues.

What We Offer

At Spruson & Ferguson, you'll be part of a collaborative and high-performing team that is passionate about intellectual property and delivering outstanding client outcomes.

We offer competitive remuneration and a range of benefits, including:

• Paid parental leave of up to 18 weeks, and up to 6 weeks paid Secondary Caregiver leave.
• Leave Purchase Scheme (up to two weeks).
• One paid IP Day each year.
• Group Salary Continuance Insurance.
• Access to our Wellbeing Hub.
• Hybrid working as standard.
• Structured professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Fresh fruit delivered daily and monthly team morning teas.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing a fair, inclusive and accessible recruitment process and will make reasonable adjustments where required.

Successful candidates will undergo a standard pre-employment screening as part of the hiring process within the IPH Group. This process may include verifying key information such as your identity, qualifications, references and criminal history. By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you may be required to complete any necessary background checks relevant to the role. Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly.