Taylor Wessing

Taylor Wessing is a global law firm that serves the world's most innovative people and businesses. Deeply embedded within our sectors, we work closely together with our clients to crack complex problems, enabling ideas and aspirations to thrive. Together we challenge expectation and create extraordinary results. By shaping the conversation in our sectors, we enable our clients to unlock growth, protect innovation and accelerate ambition.

With 1200+ lawyers, 300+ partners, 28 offices and 17 jurisdictions we are looking to expand our Patents team, with the addition of a Patents Senior Associate.

The opportunity for you

Our international Patents group is recognised as one of the largest and best known in Europe. We have a strong European team and have capability to act for clients in all the main jurisdictions with particular patent litigation strength/depth in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Highly experienced in both contentious and non-contentious patent matters, we have a wealth of experience in advising knowledge-based and technology-rich businesses across numerous industries, including pharma, biotechnology, chemicals, medical devices and equipment, automotive, telecoms, electronics and software. Our lawyers have an excellent reputation for patent licensing and establishing R&D collaborations and joint ventures in relation to a range of patented technologies and regulatory environments, as well as for resolving contractual disputes involving such commercial relationships.

Key responsibilities

You will join our Patents & Innovation Group, which includes over 30 fee-earners in total (and growing) led by twelve partners.
The work will be primarily contentious; though for the right candidate there may be opportunities to handle non-contentious patent matters too. The contentious work consists of English patent litigation (typically High Court and Court of Appeal) and advising clients pre-action, plus potentially assisting with coordinated multi-jurisdictional disputes and UPC litigation. The Patents & Innovation Group has acted on a number of landmark patents cases and there will be an opportunity to be closely involved in such work. Typically, patent litigation work is in the electronics/telecoms, life sciences and mechanical /engineering. Potential non-contentious work includes drafting agreements (such as licences, research and development agreements, and distribution agreements), regulatory advice, due diligence and corporate support in the context of M&A and other transactions.
The majority of the associate's work will be patent litigation, although the associate will also have the opportunity to participate in some non-contentious work.
The role involves client contact. Depending on experience, the associate will be expected to conduct meetings and calls independently, as well as under supervision. In addition, the associate will often be the primary point of contact when liaising with experts and barristers on contentious matters.

Knowledge, Skills And Experience

Candidates must be qualified solicitors, ideally 4+ years PQE.

The following experience/skills are sought:

A scientific background is an advantage;
Preferably 50% or more of the candidate's post-qualification experience should consist of patent litigation work;
Self-motivation, coupled with the ability to work closely with other team members;
Strong academics and technical ability;
A commercial focus and good business development skills.

Our culture

Nurturing a diverse, inclusive culture allows all of our talent to flourish, sparks creativity and powers innovation. We continue to build a team that exemplifies inclusivity and reflects the firm's core values: creative, excellence, integrity, responsible, respect and team. We value and celebrate the differences in who we are, what we have experienced and how we think, so all candidates will be treated fairly regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender identity, marital status, neurodiversity, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic background.

Benefits

Here are a select few benefits that Taylor Wessing offer;

Hybrid working (Offering the opportunity to work remotely, while maintaining a social boundary by working from our award-winning offices for 3 days a week)
Holiday (Our basic annual holiday entitlement starts at 25 days, with a further discretionary day of paid leave in December. You may also purchase up to five extra days each year (pro rata).
Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave (After one-year service, you are entitled to up to 26 weeks leave full pay if you or your partner give birth or adopt a child).

Along with these there are many more benefits we offer, with the addition of a comprehensive flexible benefits package available.

The way we work

At Taylor Wessing, we never settle for average. We're creative thinkers, problem solvers and continuous learners who excel at what we do and believe our best work is still ahead of us. We are a firm that's large enough for you to achieve your ambitions, but connected enough to be a true community.

Taylor Wessing UK

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Patents Senior Associate