Senior Associate / Legal Director - Intellectual Property

JMC Legal Recruitment; London; On-site; GBP 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international firm in London seeks a Senior Associate or Legal Director for a strategic role in their Non-Contentious IP practice. This position offers the opportunity to build a dedicated team with support from an established commercial firm. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in copyright and trademarks, alongside partnership potential in a collaborative, people-first environment.

Benefits

Up to 20% bonus

1500-hour target for work-life balance

Flexible working arrangements

Route to partnership

Strong team support

Qualifications

• 5+ PQE in non-contentious IP.
• Experience in private practice, ideally with a strong firm.
• Solid background in copyright and trademarks.

Responsibilities

• Build a specialist non-contentious IP sub-team.
• Manage client relationships and lead business development.
• Collaborate with existing team to elevate IP capability.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Client relationship management

Collaboration

Education

Qualified Solicitor of England & Wales

Job description

This innovative international firm is investing heavily in the future of its commercial practice. As part of this, a newly created opportunity has arisen for a Senior Associate or Legal Director to join and lead the growth of a dedicated Non-Contentious IP offering from their London office.

For IP lawyers looking for a genuine future with strong partnership prospects, this is a chance to carve out and build a specialist team with a strong platform and the backing of a global client base including household brands, this is a rare and compelling opportunity.

The Firm

With a global footprint and one of the broadest commercial practices on the market, this Top 30 firm continues to build on its success through targeted investment and strategic growth.

The Commercial team spans contracts, data, regulatory, IP and privacy work - and it's now looking to elevate its IP capability by separating out contentious and non-contentious work under clear leadership.

The firm works with major household name brands including Adidas and Costa Coffee, yet there is untapped potential in the IP space.

This role is being hired for on the back of strong demand and ambitious growth plans. it's all about building something new and exciting with the guidance and support of their exceptional commercial team.
With a collaborative culture, transparent progression structure, and access to flexible working, the firm prides itself on offering a modern, inclusive and people-first environment where lawyers can thrive.

The Role

Senior Intellectual Property Lawyer (non contentious) - 5+ PQE - City of London

In this role you'll join a broad, national Commercial team and work alongside the existing IP Director (who focuses on contentious IP) to build a specialist non-contentious IP sub-team.

The work will centre around branding, copyright, and trade marks, and you'll be encouraged to take ownership of client relationships and new business development , including client training and thought leadership.
There is already a strong pipeline of work and junior resource ready to support.

The firm isn't expecting someone to bring a following, but require real credibility, capability, and ambition.

The Ideal Candidate

• A qualified Solicitor of England & Wales with 5+ PQE in non-contentious IP
• Experience in private practice, ideally with a national, international, or strong West End firm
• A solid background in copyright, brand protection and trade marks
• Commercially-minded, collaborative and confident with clients
• Keen to build a practice with no glass ceiling - partnership is achievable and actively supported

What's on Offer

• Salary up to £130,000 + 20% bonus
• 1500-hour target - the firm promotes genuine work life balance
• Flexible working and newly refurbished London offices
• Route to partnership as you'll be building a team, not slotting into an existing hierarchy
• Strong support from juniors, and internal buy-in from commercial partners
• A genuine opportunity to shape the future of a practice within a global platform

If you're a senior IP lawyer ready to step into a strategic, growth-focused role, this is a standout opportunity.

Apply now for confidential consideration or call Charlie Simpkin at JMC Legal Recruitment on 02038652113 to find out more!