Associate, Company Commercial, Intellectual Property

Associate, Company Commercial, Intellectual Property

Location: Manchester , Lancashire Salary: Competitive Date posted: 02/06/2012 18:02 Job type:Permanent Company: Eversheds Contact: Joanne Hill Ref: Totaljobs/1251437 Job ID: 53569278

Eversheds is not your average law firm and we're not looking for average people. We do things differently - in the way we treat our people and the service we provide. That's how we've become one of the largest law firms in the world and a great place to work and develop your career.
Our company commercial group handles major projects for some of the largest clients in the world. We enable our lawyers to stretch their skills and gain experience few other law firms can offer. Our group includes a wide variety of experts, from dealmakers and banking experts through to contract drafters and IP specialists. With the resources of an international firm and an award winning, innovative approach, all of our people are able to offer carefully managed, progressive business solutions that modern day organisations require.
The Eversheds commercial team provides the full range of legal services to an enviable range of major clients from both the private and public sector. Our lawyers are leading specialists in their fields, delivering both expertise and general commercial skills that make a real difference. These skills are tested on major projects, often with an international dimension. Few firms can offer the resources and experience that Eversheds lawyers enjoy and support from colleagues allows for the delivery of a seamless service.
Eversheds' Intellectual Property team assists an impressive array of clients in relation to all aspects of intellectual property law. Our work includes advising clients with respect to the identification, protection and exploitation of their intellectual property. The team has particular sector specialisms, including life sciences.
We are looking for an Associate to join our growing team in Manchester. The team consists of two Partners, one Associate and three fee earners, together with an in-house Trade Mark filing team.
Key responsibilities:
You will be working closely with colleagues in the team and you will be expected to provide good technical and commercial IP law advice.
The role will cover all aspects of IP commercial contracting work, including advising in respect of patents, copyright, trade marks, designs, licensing, etc. It will also include wider commercial and regulatory work on matters for pharmaceutical, biosciences and medical devices clients. You will also be expected to assist other members of the firm, in particular the Corporate team, with the IP aspects of their matters.
You will be expected to participate in business development by attending seminars and conferences, giving presentations and networking generally at firm events.

Skills and experience
You will have excellent technical skills and academic qualifications, together with a good background in IP law. A scientific background would be an advantage.
Your experience will be primarily in IP work and will cover the range of work indicated above. Successful completion of the Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice from Bristol University, Oxford University or Nottingham University or their equivalent would be an advantage. In order to have developed the required skills for this role you will probably have 2-4 years PQE. However, we would be pleased to hear from anyone who feels they can demonstrate the skills and experience we are looking for.
The IP team in the North has strong experience in the Life Sciences and Education sectors, so experience in these fields would also be advantageous. Experience of work in the life sciences sector is desirable or you should have a strong interest in science and technology aspects of IP and a desire to gain life sciences experience.

Key competencies:
You will have a client focused, commercial approach and will be a team player. You will also have an excellent knowledge of IP law and be able to communicate effectively.
In addition to the above, Eversheds also require awareness and full participation in the Firms commitment to equality and diversity, the environment and health and safety.

Eversheds endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Eversheds operates within a preferred supplier list.