Help shape the future of intellectual property. Marks & Clerk LLP is the leading firm of Patent and Trade Mark attorneys in the UK with c60 Partners (including 7 Trade Mark Partners) and c350 employees (including c60
working in the Trade Mark team.) We pride ourselves in the quality and skills of our attorney and support teams. We have 10 offices in the UK and Europe: Paris, Luxembourg, London, Oxford, Cambridge, Birmingham,
Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Marks & Clerk acts for a range of clients, from multi-national blue-chip companies to early stage growth businesses. Our clients value our in-depth sector knowledge and we have particular strength in Food & Drink; Fashion & Retail; Health & Beauty; Transport and Financial Services. More than 60% of our work is for UK-based direct clients. We also act for non-UK international clients and have a valued network of associates with whom we exchange work. We work closely with our teams based in Canada, China and East Asia, and we also have client liaison staff based in Japan and Korea.
Role Purpose
The appointee will work within the Trade Mark (TM) team to provide advice and client service of the highest standard to an existing portfolio of clients, from the biggest household names to the latest start-up ventures. In
addition, they will be encouraged to contribute to the continued growth of our TM business via Marketing and Practice Development activity.
The successful candidate will benefit from the assistance and support of the TM business to ensure their successful integration into the firm and future career development. Extensive support is also available from a
highly capable support team, together with the use of our workflow management systems.
Principal responsibilities
The appointee will be involved in client facing work from the start and will work with the TM Partners in the following areas:
- Providing strategic advice, handling and coordinating complex TM matters
- Advising on the availability, protection, use, exploitation, enforcement and ownership of Trade Marks
- Dealing with related copyright, common law, business / domain name and design matters
- Filing and prosecuting applications, oppositions, invalidity and revocation proceedings and appeals
before the UKIPO and EUIPO - Planning and executing international filing programmes
- Diligently attending to time recordal and billing
- Working with solicitor colleagues to handle appeals, litigations and related opinions
- Taking an active approach to business development opportunities, working with our marketing team
Technical knowledge, professional qualifications and experience
The successful candidate will be a Qualified Trade Mark Attorney with a demonstrably high level of technical expertise.
In addition, they will be able to demonstrate:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with clients and colleagues – both verbal and written
- A highly motivated and pro-active attitude, with drive to develop the practice
- The ability to assume responsibility for client relationships
- Strong personal effectiveness, including excellent time management skills
- The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team (with qualified attorneys, trainee attorneys and support team members)
- Exceptional analytical abilities and attention to detail
Remuneration and benefits
- Competitive salary dependent on experience
- This role is eligible to participate in a discretionary bonus scheme for qualified attorneys
- 26 days’ annual holiday plus statutory holidays
- Private medical insurance, which can be extended to cover other family members
- Contributory pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Permanent health insurance
- Reimbursement of membership fees to professional bodies required for the role