Associate / Attorney - Trademark & Copyright

Watts & Associates Recruitment; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 240,000 - 345,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development resources

Wellbeing programmes

Pro bono opportunities

Job summary

Watts & Associates, discreetly advising a renowned Am Law 100 national firm, seeks a Trademark & Copyright Associate for its Chicago, IL office. The role covers brand management, prosecution, enforcement and disputes for global brands and tech companies.

Ideal candidate has about seven years of trademark/copyright experience, strong research and writing skills, and admission to the Illinois Bar. The position offers ownership of matters, direct partner collaboration, and a competitive base salary

Qualifications

• Approximately 7 years of trademark, copyright, brand‑management or related IP experience.
• Experience with prosecution, enforcement or portfolio management.
• Strong legal research, writing and analytical skills.
• Excellent organisational and deadline‑management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple portfolios and client priorities.
• Strong communication and client‑service skills.
• Excellent academic credentials and sophisticated law‑firm experience.
• Admission to the Illinois Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly.

Responsibilities

• Manage trademark clearance, prosecution and portfolio matters.
• Draft and respond to office actions and enforcement correspondence.
• Advise on copyright, advertising and brand‑protection issues.
• Support opposition, cancellation and related proceedings.
• Coordinate international filings and foreign counsel.
• Develop enforcement and portfolio strategies.
• Counsel clients on product launches and commercial use.
• Manage deadlines, evidence and portfolio records.
• Work directly with brand, marketing and in‑house legal teams.
• Take ownership of important workstreams and collaborate with partners.

Skills

Trademark & Copyright experience

IP portfolio management

Legal research & writing

Deadline management

Client service

Education

Illinois Bar admission or eligibility

Job description

Trademark & Copyright Associate | Chicago, IL | Firm Policy | 7 Years' Experience | $240,000–$345,000 Base + Benefits & Bonuses | Am Law 100

Watts & Associates is working discreetly with a highly regarded Am Law 100 national full‑service law firm seeking a Trademark & Copyright Associate to join its Chicago, IL office.

This opportunity offers brand management, prosecution, enforcement and related disputes for sophisticated clients for global brands, technology companies, consumer businesses and creative organisations within a nationally recognised trademark, copyright and brand protection practice. The successful attorney will work closely with partners and senior lawyers, take ownership of substantive matters and gain exposure to high‑value work, important clients and cross‑practice collaboration.

Company Highlights

• Am Law 100 national platform with market‑leading intellectual‑property and technology capabilities
• Sophisticated work for innovative companies, global brands and research‑driven organisations
• Recognised strength in trademark, copyright and brand protection and complementary corporate, regulatory or litigation disciplines
• Established teams advising global brands, technology companies, consumer businesses and creative organisations on complex, high‑value matters
• Direct partner access and meaningful responsibility on important client matters
• Practice‑specific training, mentoring and individual career‑development support
• Cross‑office platform serving clients on domestic and international portfolios
• Strong commitment to innovation, inclusion and practical client service
• Substantive pro bono opportunities and comprehensive attorney benefits

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This is an opportunity to join a well‑established trademark, copyright and brand protection practice offering:

• Sophisticated trademark, copyright and brand‑protection matters
• Exposure to prosecution, enforcement, counselling and disputes
• Meaningful ownership of portfolio and matter workstreams
• Direct access to partners, brand teams and in‑house counsel
• Domestic and international portfolio experience
• Strong commercial and strategic development
• A credible route to long‑term advancement in a recognised practice

The Role

The successful attorney will support and lead key components of trademark, copyright and brand protection matters, including:

• Manage trademark clearance, prosecution and portfolio matters
• Draft and respond to office actions and enforcement correspondence
• Advise on copyright, advertising and brand‑protection issues
• Support opposition, cancellation and related proceedings
• Coordinate international filings and foreign counsel
• Develop enforcement and portfolio strategies
• Counsel clients on product launches and commercial use
• Manage deadlines, evidence and portfolio records
• Work directly with brand, marketing and in‑house legal teams

The role offers direct collaboration with partners, senior lawyers and clients, together with increasing responsibility and opportunities to take ownership of important workstreams.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The firm is seeking a trademark & copyright associate with:

• Approximately 7 years of trademark, copyright, brand‑management or related IP experience
• Experience with prosecution, enforcement or portfolio management
• Strong legal research, writing and analytical skills
• Excellent organisational and deadline‑management abilities
• Ability to manage multiple portfolios and client priorities
• Strong communication and client‑service skills
• Excellent academic credentials and sophisticated law‑firm experience
• Admission to the Illinois Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission promptly

Experience with TTAB proceedings, international portfolios or advertising matters is advantageous.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range is $240,000–$345,000, depending on class year, experience, location, qualifications and other relevant factors.

The firm also offers bonus eligibility, comprehensive health and insurance benefits, retirement support, paid time off, professional‑development resources, wellbeing programmes and pro bono opportunities.

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