Trade Marks Attorney (Senior Associate) at Adams & Adams

Duties and responsibilities

A Senior 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, interest in working on 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: -

• Commercial IP knowledge including License Agreements
• Conducting audits
• 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 registerability 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 deadlines
• 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
• Ability to attract clients and build relationships

Requirements

Skills and knowledge

• Commercial IP Knowledge
• Computer literate in Microsoft Word
• 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 

Candidate Profile

We are looking to employ a quality candidate with:

• The ability and drive to progress
• Leadership skills
• Commitment
• Academic excellence
• Enthusiasm and creativity
• Integrity and a zero-tolerance for negative intent
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to attract and generate work

 Qualification/s

• Admitted attorney
• Trade Marks experience
• 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)