Patents Senior Associate

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 1000+ lawyers, 300+ partners, 29 offices and 17 jurisdictions we are looking to expand our Patents  team, with the addition of a Patents Senior Associate.

Meet the team

Our international Patents group is recognised as one of the largest and best in 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.

The opportunity for you

Taylor Wessing is a full-service international law firm, working with clients in the world’s most dynamic industries. We take a single-minded approach to advising our clients, helping them succeed by thinking innovatively about their business issues. We support clients wherever they want to do business. Our 33 offices around the world blend the best of local business, industry and cultural knowledge with international experience to provide astutely commercial solutions for our clients. Our innovative, modern approach is what defines us. Our clients range from promising new start-ups to multinational leaders of industry, with a client base that includes 60% of the world’s top 50 brands. In every case, we provide specialised legal advice, backed by a finely-tuned commercial intelligence. Our growth and success has been achieved by the dedication of our people and our ability to attract and embed new talent that will thrive in our entrepreneurial, forward-thinking environment. We aim to attract a range of individuals with different and diverse skill sets and backgrounds to ensure our firm’s continued success.

Key responsibilities

• You will join our Patents & Innovation Group, which includes over 30 fee-earners in total (and growing) lead 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 High Court patent litigation and advising clients pre-action, plus potentially assisting with coordinated multi-jurisdictional disputes. 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 transactional and regulatory 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.

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. 

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.

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.