Remote Intellectual Property Counsel

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Home office stipend

Stock options/ equity

Medical and retirement benefits

Development allowance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Remote Intellectual Property Counsel to join our client’s legal team. You will manage patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets from a remote setup across time zones in South Africa.

Admitted SA attorney with 5+ years IP experience, strong drafting and negotiation skills, and familiarity with technology inventions. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, provide strategic IP guidance, and help protect and monetize innovations.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with IP specialization.
• At least 5 years of experience in IP law, focusing on patents and trademarks.
• Experience with technology-related inventions and global IP portfolio management.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills for IP agreements.
• Strong analytical and remote-work capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop an IP strategy aligned with business goals.
• Manage filing, prosecution and maintenance of patents, trademarks, and copyrights globally.
• Conduct IP due diligence for acquisitions, partnerships, and licensing.
• Advise on FTO, patentability, and infringement analyses.
• Draft and negotiate IP agreements including licenses and NDAs.
• Protect trade secrets and confidential information.
• Liaise with external IP counsel and patent offices worldwide.
• Provide IP training to internal teams and monitor trends.

Skills

IP Law

Attorney

Remote work

Contract drafting

Patent prosecution

Trademark prosecution

Negotiation

IP management software

Education

Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Tools

IP management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing technology innovator, is seeking a highly skilled and dedicated Remote Intellectual Property Counsel to join their expanding legal team. This is a unique opportunity to work entirely remotely, providing comprehensive IP legal support to a forward-thinking company. You will be responsible for managing the company's intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. This role requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of IP law and its application in the technology sector. As a remote-first professional, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams across different time zones, contributing to the protection and commercialization of the company's innovations. This position is fully remote, allowing you to work from anywhere within South Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive intellectual property strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Manage the filing, prosecution, and maintenance of patents, trademarks, and copyrights globally.
• Conduct IP due diligence for potential acquisitions, partnerships, and licensing agreements.
• Advise on IP-related matters, including freedom-to-operate analyses, patentability assessments, and infringement analysis.
• Draft and negotiate IP-focused agreements, such as licensing agreements, technology transfer agreements, and non-disclosure agreements.
• Manage and protect the company's trade secrets and confidential information.
• Liaise with external IP counsel and patent offices worldwide.
• Provide training and guidance to internal teams on IP best practices and compliance.
• Monitor the IP landscape for emerging trends and potential risks.
• Support litigation efforts related to IP disputes as needed.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, with a strong specialization in Intellectual Property Law.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in IP law, with a significant portion focused on patent and trademark prosecution and strategy.
• Experience working with technology-related inventions and IP is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to manage a global IP portfolio.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills for IP agreements.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and meet deadlines in a remote setting.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for remote collaboration.
• Proficiency in IP management software and databases.
• Comfortable working in a fully remote, distributed team environment.

Benefits

• Competitive remote salary with performance incentives.
• Flexible working hours conducive to a remote lifestyle.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits package.
• Annual professional development allowance for courses and conferences.
• Opportunity to work with cutting‑edge technology and innovative products.
• Company‑provided hardware and software for remote work.
• Generous annual leave and personal days.
• Collaborative and supportive virtual team culture.
• Home office stipend to enhance your workspace.
• Potential for stock options or equity participation.