Trade Marks Attorney (Senior Associate / Associate)

Adams & Adams; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm seeks a Senior Associate/Associate for its Intellectual Property practice in Gauteng. The ideal candidate will be an admitted attorney with strong background in trade marks and commercial IP law and possess excellent language and analytical skills. This role involves managing trade mark portfolios, preparing legal documentation, and engaging with clients. Candidates with 3-5 years of relevant experience in an IP firm are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• Admitted attorney with experience in Intellectual Property law.
• Ideally a Trade Marks Practitioner or in the process of qualifying.
• Able to handle a substantial workload and cope under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Review trade mark portfolios and provide legal advice.
• Manage major trade marks clearance and filing projects.
• Prepare marketing material and articles for publication.

Skills

Commercial IP Knowledge

Excellent language skills

Attention to detail

Ability to prioritize duties

Professional attitude

Education

Admitted attorney

Qualified Trade Marks Practitioner

Experience in an IP firm

Job description

A Senior Associate / Associate position has become available at Adams & Adams (Sandton branch) within a dynamic team managing a holistic Intellectual Property law practice, and specializing in trade mark, copyright, commercial IP and entertainment law matters.

The suitable candidate would be an admitted attorney, ideally qualified as a Trade Marks Practitioner with the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL), and have three to five years post-qualification experience of working in an Intellectual Property law firm. Also, a passion for IP law, including trade marks, an interest in working on IP commercialisation matters, matters pertaining to the creative and entertainment industries, and a drive for continued learning and expansion within a dedicated team of likeminded professionals would also be what we are looking for in the successful candidate.

Duties include, but are not limited to : -

• Reviewing trade mark portfolios and making recommendations
• Assist in Trade Mark filing strategy discussions and due diligence
• Prepare trade mark related legal advice and opinions
• Manage, coordinate and attend to major trade marks clearance and filing projects throughout the world
• Providing opinions, reports and quotes on the registrability of Trade Marks throughout the world, as well as any regulatory or copyright considerations
• Preparing and drafting of correspondence including responses to client enquiries and all routine correspondence
• Prepare and file Trade Mark applications, attending to registration and post-registration maintenance and renewals
• Managing a diary
• Dealing with urgent matters and client requests
• Preparing reports and schedules
• Effect portfolio transfers and manage and develop multi-client portfolios
• Report official actions, comply with official actions
• Address and assist with Classification queries
• Updating client standing instructions and A&A’s records
• Do research
• Prepare marketing material, including articles for publication
• Client visits
• Commercial IP knowledge including License Agreements
• Ability to attract clients and build relationships

Requirements

Skills and knowledge

• Commercial IP Knowledge
• Excellent language skills (good command of English, both written and verbal)
• Must understand the debiting procedures
• A meticulous, responsible person with a sense of urgency, who is able to prioritise duties
• Attention to detail is essential
• A conscientious, loyal and dedicated person, with the ability to think laterally
• Someone with a professional attitude
• Ability to give clear instructions to a secretary
• Prepared to work long hours where necessary
• Ability to work independently and under supervision
• Ability to handle the pressure of having to cope with large workload
• Knowledge of relevant Acts – e.g. Trade Marks Act
• Willingness to learn

Qualification / s

• Admitted attorney
• Qualified Trade Marks Practitioner, in the process of being qualified (advantageous), or a real intention to qualify as a Trade Mark Practitioner
• Experience of working in an IP firm (Intellectual Property) will be highly advantageous
• 3 – 5 years post articles experience (advantageous)