IP Associate

A prestigious international law firm is seeking an experienced associate to join its highly regarded Intellectual Property (IP) practice. This role offers a unique opportunity to work on non-contentious IP matters with a focus on the life sciences and technology sectors—two of the firm’s strategic priorities.

You will become part of a team ranked in Legal 500, Chambers UK, and specialist IP directories such as WTR 1000 and IAM Patent 1000. The team is known for its excellence in transactional IP and its client portfolio spans both UK-based and global businesses.

Team & Practice Highlights

• Advises on the full spectrum of IP rights: trade marks, patents, copyright, database rights, designs, domain names, and trade secrets.
• Handles a mix of transactional, advisory, and litigation matters.
• Works across sectors including life sciences, tech, consumer, and retail brands.
• Built a strong reputation and an impressive international client base.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll focus on non-contentious IP work, particularly involving:

• Drafting and negotiating IP licences, R&D, partnering, and collaboration agreements.
• Advising on IP aspects of mergers, acquisitions, investments, and complex commercial agreements such as manufacturing and distribution arrangements.
• Working with a client list that includes innovative, high-profile companies across the life sciences and technology ecosystem.
• Delivering commercially driven legal advice on high-value, complex transactions.
• Building relationships with key clients and stakeholders, with significant direct client exposure.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft bespoke and often complex agreements with a creative, solution-oriented approach.
• Lead and manage matters from instruction through to delivery.
• Provide strategic and commercially focused advice tailored to client needs.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships; contribute to internal and external business development.
• Supervise and mentor junior team members; contribute to the development of the wider team.
• Lead on legal projects with a focus on delivering profitable outcomes.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong non-contentious IP experience from a recognised IP transactions team.
• Proven capability in drafting and negotiating complex agreements, ideally in the life sciences sector.
• In-depth knowledge of market practice in IP-related agreements and the broader IP landscape.
• Understanding of the life sciences ecosystem, including key players, emerging trends, and regulatory environments.
• Demonstrated business development acumen and a track record of winning new work.
• A proactive and commercially astute approach to client and matter management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.