Commercial Senior Associate

Douglas Scott Legal Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Douglas Scott Legal Recruitment is seeking a Senior Associate specialising in Commercial IP and Technology to join a leading London IP practice. The role is predominantly non-contentious and transactional, covering IP licensing, technology and SaaS agreements, data protection, and related commercial arrangements, with autonomy.

You will develop client relationships, contribute to business development and work with a respected IP Partner.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in non-contentious Commercial/IP matters.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.
• Experience of IP licensing and other IP-related commercial agreements.
• Exposure to technology, IT or SaaS agreements would be advantageous.
• Ability to manage matters and client relationships with a high degree of autonomy.
• Commercial awareness and an interest in business development.
• A genuine desire to develop within a specialist intellectual property environment.

Responsibilities

• Advise on IP licensing and complex commercial contracts.
• Draft and negotiate technology and SaaS agreements.
• Support data protection and wider IP-related commercial arrangements.
• Develop and manage client relationships with autonomy and proactivity.
• Collaborate with partners across the IP practice for cross-referral opportunities.
• Contribute to business development and client proposals.

Skills

Commercial IP

Technology contracts

IP licensing

Contract negotiation

Client relationship management

Data protection

Job description

Senior Associate – Commercial IP / Technology

London | Hybrid Working | 5+ PQE Senior Associate | Competitive Salary

A leading specialist intellectual property firm is looking to appoint a Senior Associate specialising in Commercial IP and Technology to join its growing legal practice in London.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced commercial/IP lawyer to join a highly regarded specialist platform where intellectual property sits at the heart of the business.

The firm's legal offering is an important area of strategic growth, and the successful lawyer will work closely with an established and highly regarded Commercial/IP Partner while playing a significant role in the continued development of the practice.

The Role

The practice advises an impressive and varied client base, ranging from start-ups and high-growth businesses through to established SMEs, major corporates, plcs and universities.

The work is predominantly non-contentious and transactional, with matters including:

• IP licensing and assignment agreements
• Complex commercial contracts
• Technology and SaaS agreements
• Collaboration and R&D agreements
• Data protection-related agreements
• Supply, distribution and agency agreements
• Terms and conditions
• Wider commercial arrangements involving intellectual property and technology

The position offers considerable autonomy and the opportunity to become a senior member of a developing team.

Alongside delivering high-quality client work, there will be opportunities to develop client relationships, contribute to business development and work closely with colleagues across the firm's wider patent, trade mark and IP practices.

The Candidate

Applications are welcomed from experienced Commercial/IP lawyers operating at Senior Associate level or approaching that level.

The successful candidate is likely to demonstrate:

• Strong experience in non-contentious Commercial/IP matters
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills
• Experience of IP licensing and other IP-related commercial agreementsli>
• Exposure to technology, IT or SaaS agreements would be advantageous
• The ability to manage matters and client relationships with a high degree of autonomy
• Commercial awareness and an interest in business development
• A genuine desire to develop within a specialist intellectual property environment

Candidates do not necessarily need to come from a dedicated IP boutique. Lawyers from strong Commercial, Technology or IP practices with meaningful transactional IP experience are encouraged to apply.

The Opportunity

What differentiates this opportunity is the platform.

Rather than joining a full-service firm where IP represents one part of a much broader offering, the successful candidate will join a business built around intellectual property, with established patent, trade mark and wider IP capabilities providing significant opportunities for collaboration and cross-referral.

The legal practice itself is continuing to grow, creating an opportunity for the successful Senior Associate to join at an important stage in its development and establish themselves as a key member of the team.

There is a transparent progression framework within the firm, including routes from Senior Associate through to Salaried Partner and ultimately Equity, making this particularly attractive for someone looking for genuine long-term career progression.

The firm operates a flexible hybrid working model, with approximately two days per week in the office.

Location: London

PQE: Senior Associate level / flexible depending on experience

Salary: Competitive and dependent on experience

Working Pattern: Hybrid