We are seeking a highly skilled mid-level to senior associate to join our dynamic team and play a key role in managing trade mark litigation cases for high profile international and local clients across a variety of industries in South Africa and other African jurisdictions. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting three partners in the team in a variety of contentious trade mark matters, including oppositions, cancellations, company name objections and trade mark and copyright enforcement matters. The successful candidate will be someone with sufficient experience in the field to enable them to work largely independently but under partner supervision. The role also requires contributing to the development of junior professionals in the team and business development initiatives. This is a deadline- driven practice with an international reach, requiring adaptability and quick thinking. The successful candidate will need strong organisational skills and proven experience with practice management.
Duties include, but are not limited to: -
- Analysing instructions and sets of facts and preparing legal advice and opinions
- Preparing correspondence to clients and opponents
- Drafting letters of demand and undertakings
- Drafting affidavits, pleadings and notices for litigation purposes
- Preparing marketing material, including articles for publication, and participating in speaking opportunities
- Conducting research
- Diarising and administering own diary files.
- Dealing with urgent matters promptly and efficiently and ensuring that all tasks are completed on time
- Giving instructions to, and supervising, candidate attorneys, paralegals and secretaries to complete more routine tasks such as indexing and pagination
- Preparing monthly reports for clients on the status of various matters being handled on their behalf
- Checking prebills to ensure that the amounts charged align with the work done and client's billing requirements are met
- Coordinating with foreign counsel on international matters, filings, maintenance
- Effect portfolio transfers and manage large client portfolios
- Researching law and drafting opinions
- Dealing with a variety of IP related litigation matters, including matters relating to trade mark infringement, cancellation and opposition, name objections and domain name disputes
- Dealing with enquiries and advising clients in relation to copyright queries and dealing with litigation relating to copyright disputes especially software
- Drafting IP sections of due diligence reports, analyzing IP in the context of commercial transactions
Skills and knowledge
- Proficiency in legal research, drafting, and problem-solving within a property law context.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple transactions and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for professional correspondence and client interaction. Experience with trade mark litigation, especially High Court motion proceedings, specifically, the drafting and filing of pleadings, affidavits and notices
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to write succinctly
- Strong mentoring and team management capabilities
- Ability to manage large volumes of matters for high profile clients and deliver commercially focused legal solutions
- Team-oriented with excellent interpersonal skills and a proactive approach.
- Meticulousness and attention to detail.
Qualification/s
- LLB Degree
- Qualified trademark practitioner
- Experience with trademark and copyright enforcement in African territories (i.e. not only in South Africa)
- Knowledge of and experience with Patricia and/or Net docs
- Admission as an attorney and 5 to 7 years PQE, preferably at a top-tier law firm
- Flexibility to work after hours is a requirement from time to time.
- Shortlisted candidates will be subject to a competency assessment.
