Legal Director - Contentious Intellectual Property

DWF; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

DWF is seeking a Legal Director to lead and grow its Contentious Intellectual Property practice within the Commercial team. Based in Birmingham, Manchester or Leeds with a flexible hybrid model, you will oversee high-profile IP disputes for respected clients and mentor junior lawyers.

You will advise on trade mark, copyright, design right and patent matters, contribute to strategy and BD, and work across teams to deliver commercially focused IP solutions.

Qualifications

• Broad experience advising on contentious IP matters including trade marks, designs, copyrights and patents.
• Strong knowledge of IP enforcement and disputes, including confidential information and domain name issues.
• Proven ability to manage complex IP disputes with autonomy and commercial judgment.
• Experience growing an IP team and contributing to business development.
• Excellent negotiation and written/verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the contentious IP practice within the team.
• Advise clients on a wide range of IP disputes including trade marks, copyrights, design rights and patents.
• Monitor IP law developments and share insights with clients and colleagues.
• Run an independent caseload while collaborating with other IP specialists.
• Collaborate on integrating IP advice into broader client and business initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships as a trusted adviser.
• Support business development and grow DWF's IP offering.

Skills

Contentious IP experience

IP disputes handling

Client relationship management

Mentoring junior lawyers

Business development

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Job description

Why join us?

DWF are seeking a talented and motivated Intellectual Property (IP) lawyer to join as a Legal Director to help us develop and grow our Contentious Intellectual Property practice within our Commercial team.

The team advises a diverse portfolio of high-profile clients on complex intellectual property disputes, including global brands, major organisations including Severn Trent, leading hotel groups, and Universities. The work is particularly varied, spanning trade mark, copyright and design right disputes, domain name disputes, confidential information claims, passing off and unfair competition matters, and increasingly complex patent infringement litigation.

The team is recognised for handling market-leading work and recently achieved a significant success in the Supreme Court, acting for Dairy UK in its intellectual property dispute against Oatly. This offers lawyers the opportunity to work on high-profile, precedent-setting matters alongside recognised specialists within a highly regarded national IP practice.

Working as part of an integrated national IP practice, the Legal Director will collaborate closely with colleagues across both contentious and non-contentious IP work, building strong client relationships, mentoring junior lawyers, and supporting business development activities.

This is an excellent opportunity to help shape the future growth of the practice, drive innovation, and play a key role in enhancing DWF's market-leading IP offering.

We are looking for someone to be based in our Birmingham, Manchester or Leeds office and offer a flexible, hybrid working approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the contentious side of the Intellectual Property practice, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, commercially focused legal services.
• Advise clients on a wide range of contentious intellectual property matters, including trade mark, copyright, design right and patent infringement claims, passing off, confidential information and domain name disputes.
• Monitor developments in IP law, regulation and market trends, using this insight to inform clients and internal colleagues.
• Run an independent caseload while working closely with recognised IP specialists across the wider practice.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate IP advice into broader client and business initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted adviser on contentious IP issues.
• Support business development activity and contribute to the continued growth and market profile of DWF’s IP practice.

What will help you succeed in this role?

Essential

• Demonstrable experience advising on a broad range of contentious intellectual property matters, including trade mark, copyright, design right and patent disputes.
• Strong knowledge of IP enforcement, infringement claims, passing off, confidential information and domain name disputes.
• Experience acting for clients across a variety of sectors on strategic IP protection and dispute resolution matters.
• Proven ability to manage complex IP disputes with a high degree of autonomy and commercial judgement.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to build and maintain strong client relationships and to work effectively under pressure.
• Previous experience in developing and growing an Intellectual Property team is beneficial.

Desirable

• Patent infringement litigation experience is beneficial.
• Intellectual Property certificate or accreditations would be beneficial, but not essential.

What we offer?

We are committed to ensuring that each member of our team feels valued and duly rewarded during their time at DWF.

We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support needed. If you're excited about the opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the requirements, please apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for the role or others across the wider team.

About Us

DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. Our approach delivers efficiency, price certainty and transparency for our clients across the world without compromising on quality or service. Our purpose is to deliver positive outcomes with our colleagues, clients and communities and we foster a culture that places our colleagues at the centre of all that we do.