Intellectual Property Consultant

Designation: Intellectual Property Counsel

Location: Dubai, UAE

About Sumwon Studios

Sumwon Studios is a fast-growing fashion and lifestyle group headquartered in Dubai, home to a portfolio of dynamic and digitally-led brands. With a focus on creativity, innovation, and global reach, we’re redefining the future of fashion e-commerce. As we continue to scale our operations internationally, we are now seeking our first in-house legal hire to establish and lead our legal function.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Intellectual Property Counsel to build and oversee the legal operations of Sumwon Studios . This is a hands-on role where you will be directly responsible for shaping the legal framework, managing day-to-day legal matters, and providing pragmatic guidance across the business.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in fashion, retail, or e-commerce, with deep expertise in intellectual property, commercial contracts, M&A, and ideally exposure to IPO preparation. You will act as a trusted advisor to the executive team and play a key role in supporting the group’s next phase of growth.

Key Responsibilities

Intellectual Property (IP) Protection

• Conduct an IP audit of all Sumwon Studios brands.
• Secure and maintain global trademark registrations and design protections for current and future brands.
• Establish clear brand protection and infringement response procedures (online and offline).

Establish the Legal Function

• Build and implement the company’s legal infrastructure, including standard operating procedures, approval processes, and reporting frameworks.
• Create and maintain a central contract management system for all brand and corporate agreements.
• Develop and roll out internal legal policies (covering contracts, data protection, IP, compliance, NDAs, etc.).

Contract Management and Commercial Support

• Draft, review, and negotiate all key commercial agreements across retail, e-commerce, and partnerships.
• Develop contract templates (supplier, influencer, licensing, and distribution agreements) to streamline operations.
• Provide hands-on legal support to marketing, brand, and operations teams.

Corporate Governance and Compliance

• Ensure legal compliance across the UAE and international markets where the brands operate.
• Create a compliance register covering data protection, consumer law, and employment regulations.
• Support the board and executive team on corporate governance and risk management frameworks.

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships

• Lead the legal due diligence and documentation for any new acquisitions or joint ventures.
• Support the executive team on investment agreements, shareholder matters, and company restructuring.

IPO & Investment Readiness (Strategic Deliverable)

• Assess the company’s legal readiness for a potential IPO or capital raise.
• Identify gaps in corporate structure, governance, and compliance.
• Prepare preliminary documentation and legal processes aligned with future listing or investor requirements.

External Counsel Management

• Build and manage relationships with external law firms (local and international).
• Negotiate rates, define scopes of work, and ensure value for spend.
• Implement a panel or preferred supplier list for specialist areas (IP, M&A, corporate).

Business Partnering

• Act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on all key business decisions.
• Deliver legal training and awareness sessions for brand and operational teams.
• Support expansion into new markets, ensuring regulatory and legal compliance.

What you’ll bring

• Qualified lawyer with a recognised international law degree and bar admission (UK, EU, US, or UAE qualification preferred).
• 8–12 years of post-qualification experience, ideally gained within a mix of top-tier law firms and in-house legal roles.
• Proven experience within fashion, retail, or e-commerce sectors.
• Strong background in intellectual property, commercial contracts, and corporate law.
• Solid experience in M&A and exposure to IPO processes is highly desirable.
• Ability to operate autonomously in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and comfortable being the first and sole legal representative in the organisation.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills with a strong commercial mindset.

What we'll bring

• 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 after your first year
• 30% employee discount across all SUMWON STUDIOS brands
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Company social events
• The coolest colleagues you can find

Why Join Us?

SUMWON STUDIOS is redefining fast fashion with a forward-thinking approach. Join a

a creative and ambitious team, and help us build a brand that resonates.