Trade Mark Practitioner (Attorney) - Pta/Cpt/Dbn

Macrobert Attorneys; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

MacRobert Attorneys is seeking a Trade Mark Practitioner (Attorney) in the Corporate and Commercial (Trade Marks) Department at our Pretoria, Cape Town or Durban Branch.

You will manage trademark portfolios, advise clients on protection strategies, and handle local and international prosecutions with a focus on commercial IP. Applicants must hold an LLB, be admitted as an attorney, have completed the SAIPL TM exams, and possess at least two years of post‑admission IP experience.

Qualifications

• LLB degree and admission as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• Successful completion of the SAIIPL Trade Mark Examinations (Group 1 and Group 2).
• Minimum of 2 years' post-admission experience specialising in Intellectual Property Law, with a strong focus on trade marks.
• Demonstrated experience in managing trade mark portfolios and advising clients on intellectual property protection strategies.

Responsibilities

• Ability to manage the Trade Mark division independently.
• Conduct trade mark availability and clearance searches and provide strategic advice thereon.
• Manage the prosecution and registration of trade mark applications locally and internationally.
• Draft and attend to trade mark assignments, amendments, renewals, recordals and related portfolio management matters.
• Advise on and enforce trade mark, copyright and related intellectual property rights.
• Handle trade mark opposition and cancellation proceedings before the relevant registries and the High Court.
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial intellectual property agreements, including coexistence agreements, licence agreements and related transactional IP documentation.
• Manage company name objection proceedings and disputes.
• Attend to domain name registrations, administration and dispute resolution proceedings.
• Conduct legal research and prepare opinions on a broad range of intellectual property matters.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships through the delivery of practical, commercially sound legal advice.

Skills

Intellectual property law

Trademark practice

Client management

Education

LLB Degree

Admission as Attorney

Job description

MacRobert Attorneys is looking for a Trade Mark Practitioner (Attorney) in the Corporate and Commercial (Trade Marks) Department of our Pretoria, Cape Town or Durban Branch.

Requirements and Experience

• LLB Degree and Admission as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• Successful completion of the SAIIPL Trade Mark Examinations (Group 1 and Group 2).
• Minimum of 2 years' post-admission experience specialising in Intellectual Property Law, with a strong focus on trade marks.
• Demonstrated experience in managing trade mark. portfolios and advising clients on intellectual property protection strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Ability to manage the Trade Mark division independently
• Conduct trade mark availability and clearance searches and provide strategic advice thereon.
• Manage the prosecution and registration of trade mark applications locally and internationally.
• Draft and attend to trade mark assignments, amendments, renewals, recordals and related portfolio management matters.
• Advise on and enforce trade mark, copyright and related intellectual property rights.
• Handle trade mark opposition and cancellation proceedings before the relevant registries and the High Court.
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial intellectual property agreements, including coexistence agreements, licence agreements and related transactional IP documentation.
• Manage company name objection proceedings and disputes.
• Attend to domain name registrations, administration and dispute resolution proceedings.
• Conduct legal research and prepare opinions on a broad range of intellectual property matters.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships through the delivery of practical, commercially sound legal advice.

Competencies and Attributes

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong drafting, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Self-motivated, dependable and able to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.
• Excellent organisational, time-management and prioritisation skills.
• A client-centric approach with a commitment to delivering exceptional levels of client service.
• Ability to manage multiple matters effectively while maintaining high professional standards and meeting deadlines.