Senior Associate

PARIS SMITH LLP; Southampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading regional law firm is seeking a Senior Associate to join their Commercial team, focusing on IP and commercial agreements. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years PQE, with experience in trade mark prosecution and IP dispute work. Responsibilities include overseeing the trademark practice, drafting commercial agreements, and participating in business development efforts. The role is based in Southampton, Winchester, or Bournemouth, emphasizing professional growth and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Support for health and happiness

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of PQE for an Associate level role with IP work experience.
• Knowledge of all areas of Commercial law is required.
• Expertise in IP dispute work is essential.

Responsibilities

• Dealing with trade mark prosecution work, from application to registration.
• Negotiating and drafting IP agreements including licensing and assignments.
• Supervising a trademark paralegal in the in-house practice.

Skills

IP prosecution experience

Commercial agreements

Business development

Negotiation skills

Job description

We are looking to build the team by hiring a Senior Associate to join our Commercial team in order to undertake:

• IP work, including overseeing our in‑house international trade mark practice; and
• Commercial work, including IP based commercial agreements

The role will be based at either of our Southampton, Winchester or Bournemouth offices.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Dealing with trade mark prosecution work – from preparing and drafting applications, through the examination and publication process to registration, including experience of oppositions (as both opponent and applicant) and appeals;
• Dealing with the foibles of the UK and EU IPOs, navigating their websites;
• Supervising our CITMA qualified trademark paralegal in connection with our in‑house trademark practice;
• Negotiating and drafting a range of IP agreements, from licensing to assignment, ownership issues and advising start‑ups on the importance of recognising and protecting their valuable rights;
• Drafting and reviewing IT and commercial agreements, including software licensing (both traditional and as a service), IT support and maintenance agreements, IT integration agreements, distribution agreements, agency agreements, franchise agreements and services agreements;
• Advise on and have detailed knowledge of all aspects of trademarks, designs and copyrights, and a knowledge of patents;
• IP dispute work – advising on likelihood of success and assisting our dispute resolution team in relation to drafting pleadings, liaising with counsel and drafting settlement agreements;
• Business development and winning new work;
• Participate in training and supporting the junior members of the team as their careers develop.

Requirements & Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 yrs PQE for an Associate level role (there is some scope for flexibility for the right candidate);
• To regularly undertake IP work will be essential;
• International experience (pre‑Brexit) would be of benefit, to demonstrate an ability to manage multiple deadlines in multiple jurisdictions;
• Knowledge of all areas of Commercial law;
• Expertise in IP dispute work;
• Excellent commercial thinking;
• Detailed knowledge and experience of trade mark prosecution work;
• Expertise in negotiating and drafting a range of IP agreements;
• A willingness to undertake BD work, write blogs, give seminars and training are essential.

Paris Smith LLP is one of the South's largest regional law firms and has celebrated over 200 years in business. We are committed to ensuring that our clients have a positive experience with the firm, and to inspire and develop our people to reach their full potential. We are based in offices in Southampton, Winchester and Bournemouth with 46 partners and employing 173 members of staff. We are one of the leading firms in the South and our dedicated Commercial team is one of the largest teams in the region. We want you to thrive at Paris Smith and be the best version of yourself. That's why we do what we can to support your health and happiness both at work and outside it.