Patent Litigation Associate Attorney

Ashurst Perkins Coie; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Health and wellbeing benefits

Learning & Development programs

Global opportunities

Job summary

Ashurst Perkins Coie in London is seeking a talented patent litigator to join its expanding Intellectual Property practice. You will work on high‑value, cross‑border disputes with a focus on technology and life sciences.

The role offers hybrid working, clear progression, and exposure to international IP matters, including trademarks and designs. Ideal candidates will be 3–7 PQE with a strong scientific background and excellent drafting skills.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales) or barrister with strong academic credentials.
• Mid‑senior level experience (typically 3–7 PQE)
• Solid experience in patent litigation at a leading firm
• Scientific or technical background (life sciences, chemistry, engineering, CS, physics) preferred
• Experience with pharmaceutical and medical devices regulation is an advantage
• Experience advising on other IP rights (trademarks, designs, copyright) desirable
• Strong analytical skills and ability to engage with complex subject matter
• Confident communicator with excellent drafting skills and a commercial mindset
• Motivated, collaborative and able to take responsibility within a supportive team environment

Responsibilities

• Running and supporting UK patent litigation, including analysis, evidence, strategy and case management.
• Advising clients on patent enforcement, validity, infringement and freedom-to-operate.
• Co-ordination of cross‑jurisdictional disputes with US/European teams.
• Potential to advise on IP matters beyond patents (trademarks, designs, copyright).
• Support transactional and advisory IP work where relevant.
• Developing and maintaining client relationships and contributing to business development.
• Supervising and developing junior lawyers within the team (for senior candidates).

Skills

Patent litigation

Legal drafting

Client relationship management

Team mentorship

Education

Qualified solicitor (England & Wales) or barrister

Job description

At Ashurst Perkins Coie, we’re helping shape the future economy. With a global team of more than 3,500 legal professionals across 52 offices, we partner with leading organisations to solve complex challenges across a diverse range of industries, with a distinct strength in technology, energy & infrastructure, and financial services. Our people work on market‑leading matters that drive innovation, growth, and transformation around the world. For Ashurst Perkins Coie, innovation is our tradition.

What makes Ashurst Perkins Coie a great place to work?

• Flexible work options - part‑time, working from home and additional leave
• Health and wellbeing benefits, gym membership, and discounted corporate health plans
• Career advancement – client secondment opportunities, global opportunities, and award‑winning Learning & Development programs

The Opportunity:

Ashurst Perkins Coie’s London office is seeking a talented and ambitious patent litigator to join its expanding Intellectual Property practice. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a leading US law firm with a strong global IP litigation platform, acting on complex, high‑value and often cross‑border disputes. The successful candidate will play a key role in advising clients across a broad range of sectors, with a particular focus on technology and life sciences.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Running and supporting UK patent litigation, including technical analysis, evidence, strategy and case management.
• Advising clients on patent enforcement, validity, infringement and freedom‑to‑operate issues.
• Contributing to multi‑jurisdictional dispute coordination with US and European colleagues.
• Potential to advise on a broad range of IP matters (trademarks, copyright, designs, confidential information, passing off).
• Supporting transactional and advisory IP work where relevant.
• Developing and maintaining strong client relationships and contributing to business development initiatives.
• Supervising and developing junior lawyers within the team (for senior candidates).

This is a full‑time, permanent role based in our London office with hybrid working.

More information can be found in the job description attached to the role on our careers site.

About you:

The successful candidate will have:

• A qualified solicitor (England & Wales) or barrister with strong academic credentials.
• Mid‑senior level experience (typically 3‑7 PQE, though all levels considered based on merit).
• Solid experience in patent litigation, ideally gained at a leading international or specialist IP firm.
• A scientific or technical background (e.g., life sciences, chemistry, engineering, computer science, physics) is preferred.
• Experience with pharmaceutical and medical devices regulation (e.g., SPCs, regulatory data and market exclusivity rights) is an advantage but not essential.
• Experience advising on other IP rights (trademarks, designs, copyright) is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to engage with technically complex subject matter.
• Confident communicator with excellent drafting skills and a commercial mindset.
• Motivated, collaborative and able to take responsibility on matters while working within a supportive team environment.