Associate/Senior Associate

This role exists to support and advise leading clients on complex and high-value intellectual property matters, with a particular focus on soft IP and trademarks. You will work across practice areas and international offices to deliver strategic, commercially focused legal solutions that protect and enhance brand value.

The position offers the opportunity to develop deep expertise in trademark portfolio management, brand protection, licensing, enforcement (both administrative and court action) and IP strategy. A key aspect of the role involves handling trademark prosecution, including filing strategy, responding to office actions, carrying out clearance searches, handling oppositions, and navigating contentious proceedings across multiple jurisdictions. You will be involved in business-critical projects such as cross-border trademark issues, digital branding, and the intersection of IP with emerging technologies and platforms.

By delivering exceptional client service and innovative legal advice, you will play a key role in maintaining our reputation as a trusted advisor to clients seeking expert guidance on all aspects of soft IP and trademark law, including prosecution, enforcement, and strategic brand development.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Deliver successful outcomes on complex, high-value intellectual property matters, ensuring clients receive commercially focused, sector-specific advice tailored to their brand and business strategy
• Lead and manage trademark prosecution processes, including filings, office action responses, clearance searches, oppositions, and appeals, across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring robust protection of client brands
• Shape and influence the evolving regulatory landscape for trademarks, brand protection, and digital IP by engaging with industry stakeholders and contributing to thought leadership.
• Drive cross-border mandates by leveraging our global network, enabling seamless service delivery and supporting clients with international trademark portfolios, enforcement strategies, and prosecution management
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor and ensuring client needs are met through proactive, solutions-oriented engagement
• Develop your expertise and leadership in soft IP, with a focus on trademarks, licensing, enforcement, and prosecution, while also contributing to projects involving digital branding, content rights, and emerging IP challenges

About you

• Demonstrate significant experience advising on complex, high-value intellectual property matters, particularly in relation to soft IP and trademarks, ideally within a leading multi-jurisdictional law firm
• Possess a strong academic background (2:1 or higher, or international equivalent) in law, with in-depth knowledge of trademark law, brand protection, prosecution procedures, and IP regulatory developments
• Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with proven ability to draft and negotiate complex IP-related legal documents, including trademark applications, office action responses, and opposition filings; Arabic language skills are advantageous
• Build and sustain trusted client relationships, delivering high-quality, commercially focused advice aligned with clients’ broader brand and business objectives, including strategic trademark portfolio management and prosecution planning
• Thrive in a collaborative, collegiate environment, showing leadership potential and the ability to work effectively across local and international teams on multi-jurisdictional trademark matters
• Display initiative, strong organisational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, cross-border context, particularly in relation to trademark filings and contentious proceedings
• Show genuine passion for intellectual property, staying current on industry trends and demonstrating commercial awareness in the evolving IP landscape, including developments in global trademark prosecution and enforcement

About us

We're a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.

At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

We are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know.

Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre-engagement screening checks prior to your first day.

Job Reference

6769

Function

Intellectual Property & Technology

Category

Lawyers

Location