Associate / Senior Associate (Trade Marks)

Spruson & Ferguson; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid parental leave

Leave Purchase Scheme

IP Day

Group Salary Continuance Insurance

Wellbeing Hub

Hybrid working

Professional development

Fresh fruit daily

Job summary

Spruson & Ferguson is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate for our Trade Marks Practice Group, based in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. The role suits applicants with 3-5+ years' TM experience across TM prosecution, portfolio management, and brand protection.

You will deliver high-quality TM services and strategic advice to clients across various industries, collaborating across offices and contributing to business development.

Qualifications

• 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 clearly.
• Client-focused with the ability to deliver commercial, pragmatic advice.

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 and commercially focused advice.
• Collaborating with colleagues across practice groups and offices to deliver exceptional client outcomes.

Skills

Trade marks experience

IP law

Client advisory

Portfolio management

Education

Trade Marks Attorney qualification

Job description

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.

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.

About Us

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).

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.

• 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.
• The opportunity to work alongside some of Australia's leading IP professionals in a collaborative team environment.

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.