Womble Bond Dickinson's specialist, award-winning intellectual property team works with clients to protect, maximise and monetise their technology and intellectual property assets across a wide spectrum of industry sectors. The highly regarded team led by James Love, whose experience spans more than 30 years, has expertise across the full range of IP rights, and works on complex IP transactions as well as IP disputes. The team also advises on clearing, registering and maintaining trade marks and designs internationally.

The busy team, centred in Leeds, supports offices in 7 locations across Britain, and works with our team of over 150 qualified IP lawyers and patent agents in 19 offices across the USA.

We now have an opportunity for an IP solicitor to join the growing team. You will be working on all aspects of intellectual property – patents, trademarks, copyright, designs, passing off, database rights and confidential information – advising clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters. 

What does the ideal candidate look like?

We're looking for somebody with 4–7 years's post qualified experience as a UK (England, Wales or Scotland) solicitor, working in IP law. The candidate should have experience with IP litigation and disputes across IP rights, as well as with drafting and negotiating IP agreements (such as assignments, licences, confidentiality agreements and research and development agreements). Experience with trade mark and design prosecution and maintenance is a bonus.

The ability to demonstrate a proactive attitude to work, commercial pragmatism, and a strong team ethos will be equally as important. Candidates should also be able to demonstrate skills in delegation and supervision at this level.

What makes it great to work here?

We continually work hard to create an open culture that sets us apart from other firms. Our culture gives us much more of a human feel, emphasising that we're more than just suits!  We like and make time for each other enabling us to establish professional relationships that can often become lasting friendships. 

Through our D&I initiatives we create an environment in which difference is valued.  We have a Diversity and Inclusion Group, led by our Board Sponsor, which works with our colleague networks (we currently have firm supported networks for race, ethnicity, and cultural heritage, LGBTQ+, disabilities, families, and women's career development and we're in constant dialogue with our people about how we expand our networks to better support everybody).  We encourage applicants from all social backgrounds, ethnicities, disabilities, gender identities and sexual orientations. Please get in touch to let us know how we can give you the best possible recruitment experience.

As signatories to the Mindful Business Charter, it's important that our people are able to maintain healthy and happy lives, both in and out of work.  We have a number of resources and initiatives designed to support health and wellbeing, including our team of dedicated mental health first aiders.  We recognise that getting the right work life balance is a priority for all of us and we're very happy to talk flexible working, full-time or part-time working patterns.  We also recognise the challenges of relocation and post-pandemic return to the office.

And that's not all, alongside a competitive salary you'll receive a flexible benefits package so you can choose and vary the benefits that matter most to you.

Next steps

If this sounds like your next career move then please get in touch to find out more. No agencies please, we're an in-house recruitment team!

If this isn't the role for you (or the right time) why not connect with us on LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@WBD_CareersUK) to keep up to date with all of our opportunities.  We also have a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/womblebonddickinsoncareers/