Senior Associate - Commercial & IP

Job Title: Senior Associate – Commercial & IP

Location: Winchester, Southampton or Bournemouth

Salary: £60,000 - £70,000

PQE: 4+ years

Permanent / Full-time or Part-Time Hours considered

Chalk Hill Group are partnering with a highly regarded, award winning, full-service law firm with a strong reputation across the South Coast. Renowned for delivering high-quality legal advice to businesses, organisations and private individuals, the firm combines technical excellence with a collaborative and people-focused culture. With a diverse client base ranging from start-ups and owner-managed businesses to national and international organisations, it offers lawyers access to complex, high-quality work alongside genuine opportunities for career progression and professional development.

The Role & Key Responsibilities

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Commercial Solicitor with strong Intellectual Property expertise to join a highly regarded Commercial team. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing the firm's IP offering, taking responsibility for a broad range of trade mark and commercial matters while working alongside an established and collaborative team.

The position can be based in Southampton, Winchester or Bournemouth, with both full-time and part-time (three days per week or more) applications welcomed.

You will advise clients across a diverse range of sectors on all aspects of intellectual property and commercial law, with responsibilities including:

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• Managing trade mark portfolios from application through to registration, including handling oppositions, appeals and ongoing portfolio management before the UK and EU Intellectual Property Offices.
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• Supervising the firm's in-house trade mark practice and supporting a CITMA-qualified Trade Mark Paralegal.
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• Drafting and negotiating a broad range of IP agreements, including licences, assignments, ownership arrangements and collaboration agreements.
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• Advising start-ups, SMEs and established businesses on protecting and commercialising their intellectual property.
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• Preparing and negotiating a wide variety of commercial agreements, including software licences (both on-premise and SaaS), IT support and maintenance agreements, systems integration agreements, distribution, agency, franchise and services agreements.
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• Advising on all aspects of trade marks, copyright and design rights, with an understanding of patent-related issues.
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• Supporting clients with contentious IP matters, working closely with the Dispute Resolution team on strategy, pleadings, settlement agreements and liaison with counsel.
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• Playing an active role in business development, networking and the continued growth of the Commercial team.
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• Mentoring and supporting junior lawyers as they develop their careers.
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About You

Applications are welcomed from solicitors with around 4+ years' PQE, although candidates with slightly different levels of experience will also be considered where they can demonstrate strong technical expertise.

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• Significant experience advising on intellectual property matters, particularly trade mark prosecution and portfolio management.
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• Experience handling UK and EU trade mark work, with international trade mark experience viewed favourably.
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• A strong grounding in commercial contracts and technology agreements.
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• Experience negotiating and drafting a wide range of IP and commercial agreements.
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• Knowledge of contentious IP matters and the ability to support dispute resolution work.
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• Commercial awareness and a pragmatic, client-focused approach.
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• A genuine interest in business development, including networking, presenting seminars, delivering training and producing thought leadership content.
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• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach to working with colleagues and clients alike.
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