Litigation - Associate/Senior Associate | Sydney or Melbourne

Wrays; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Wrays, a specialist IP practice in Australia, seeks an Associate or Senior Associate to join our Litigation team in Sydney or Melbourne. The role focuses on patent litigation and partnering with leading IP litigators on high-stakes matters for local and international clients.

You will work closely with principals, clients, and technical experts, handling complex disputes, developing strategy, and mentoring junior lawyers. A pathway to leadership is available within a growing practice.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years' experience in IP litigation.
• Strong legal research and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with attention to detail.
• Ability to understand and engage with technical and scientific concepts.
• Client-facing experience and confidence to work with counsel.

Responsibilities

• Advise on complex IP disputes and patent litigation.
• Draft pleadings, evidence, and court submissions.
• Engage with clients, expert witnesses and counsel.
• Lead negotiations, mediations and settlement discussions.
• Instruct barristers and contribute to litigation strategy.
• Mentor junior lawyers and contribute to team growth.

Skills

IP litigation

Patent litigation

Legal research

Client communication

Mentoring

Job description

Litigation - Associate/Senior Associate | Sydney or Melbourne

Associate / Senior Associate - Intellectual Property Litigation | Sydney or Melbourne

We're not your typical law firm.

We are a specialist intellectual property practice known for our deep technical expertise and our role in some of the most complex, high-stakes IP litigation in the market. As part of the Rouse Group, we combine global reach and cross-border capability with the agility, focus and autonomy of a boutique practice.

We are seeking an ambitious Associate or Senior Associate to join our Litigation team, with a focus on patent litigation. Whether you are looking to deepen your technical expertise or take the next step into a more strategic, client-facing leadership role, this is an opportunity to build your career in a thriving specialist practice focused exclusively on intellectual property disputes.

You will work on complex, strategically significant matters for domestic and international clients across life sciences, pharmaceuticals, mining and resources, FMCG, manufacturing and technology sectors. Depending on your level of experience, you will have increasing responsibility for managing matters, developing client relationships and contributing to the ongoing growth of the practice.

Our Practice

We act exclusively in intellectual property disputes, including:

• High-value patent litigation, particularly in life sciences and pharmaceuticals
• Trade mark disputes and brand enforcement
• Copyright and design matters
• Misuse of confidential information and trade secrets
• Australian Consumer Law and related commercial disputes

We regularly act in significant matters before the Federal Court of Australia and in contested proceedings before IP Australia. Our clients include multinational corporations, ASX-listed companies, research institutions and innovative growth-stage businesses.

The Role

You will work closely with our Principals, clients, counsel and technical experts on complex litigation and advisory matters. Responsibilities will include:

• Advising on complex intellectual property disputes
• Conducting detailed legal and technical/scientific research
• Drafting pleadings, evidence, submissions and other court documents
• Engaging directly with clients, expert witnesses and counsel
• Participating in court and administrative proceedings
• Supporting and leading negotiations, mediations and settlement discussions
• Instructing barristers and contributing to litigation strategy
• Preparing and managing expert and fact evidence
• Working closely with scientific and technical experts
• Contributing to the development and growth of the practice
• Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers (Senior Associate level)

About You

Associate (3-5 years PAE)

You will have:

• 3-5 years' experience in IP litigation
• Strong legal research and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including strong attention to detail
• Ability to understand and engage with technical and scientific concepts
• The confidence to work directly with clients and counsel

Senior Associate (6+ years PAE)

You will also bring:

• Significant experience in complex intellectual property litigation
• Strong exposure to patent litigation
• Exposure to multi-jurisdictional matters highly regarded
• Commercial acumen and strategic judgement
• Experience managing matters and client relationships
• Leadership and mentoring capability
• Confidence managing complex technical material and strategic disputes

For both levels, a scientific or technical background is also desirable. In addition to patent advisory and patent disputes experience, Experience in advisory and disputes relating to trade marks, copyright, designs, misuse of confidential information, Australian Consumer Law, pharmaceutical regulation, competition law or technology-related disputes will also be well regarded.

Why Join Us?

This is more than just another role. You'll be part of a growing, specialist team where:

• Your work is visible and valued
• You gain direct client access and meaningful responsibility
• You work on complex, high-profile matters
• You collaborate with leading IP litigators and technical experts
• Your career development is actively supported
• You have the opportunity to shape your own practice and progression path

All applicants must have the right to work in Australia.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Angela Mathews, HR Officer, on 02 8415 6*** or **************@wrays.com.au