Associate - Patent Litigation

Our Patent Litigation team have an opening for a mid level associate in London.

Overview of the team
Our international patent litigation team takes a practical approach to helping clients defend their businesses and enforce their rights. We help our clients find commercial solutions, if possible, but we’re ready to litigate whenever and wherever necessary.

We have a wealth of experience in cross-border IP litigation, especially focusing on patents (with a light dusting of trade secrets and a sprinkle of SPCs). 
We act on some of the most high-profile pharmaceutical and technology cases and have well respected patent litigation teams in the main European jurisdictions and a growing UPC practice including from London. On international litigation involving other firms, we often devise and co-ordinate global case strategy, as well as acting as local advisers.

Role summary/purpose of job
The London patent litigation team has an opening for a mid-level associate to work primarily on patent litigation matters.

The team, led by partners Christopher Stothers and Laura Whiting, looks to expand by hiring a lawyer with proven experience in patent litigation to complement the existing group. An ability to hit the ground running is a must!

Our daily diet of work includes litigation in the English courts, opposition and appeal proceedings at the European Patent Office, and the co-ordination of multi-jurisdictional litigation. Our main clients sit across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and technology spaces.

Key responsibilities and deliverables 
The successful candidate will work under one of the two Partners (plus, on more substantial matters, a Senior Associate) on the full range of IP litigation tasks, primarily focusing on patent litigation. Typical tasks include but are not limited to:

• Getting to grips with the technical aspects of a matter

• Analysing patents to identify validity and infringement arguments

• Drafting pre-action correspondence

• Meeting with fact witnesses and experts and preparing witness statements and expert reports

• Drafting applications and their supporting evidence

• Communicating with the client as to progress of matters and to take instructions

• Communicating with the Courts and other tribunals, and with foreign counsel

• Supporting the advocates prior to and at hearings

• Legal research

The successful candidate will also be expected to supervise more junior solicitors / trainees/ paralegals in the efficient completion of such tasks.

Professional qualifications
Candidates must be admitted as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales or have an equivalent qualification in another jurisdiction and familiarity with English Court procedures.

Technical requirements
Candidates must have:
•    Strong experience in patent and/or technical trade secrets litigation
•    A top-class academic record
•    A strong technical and commercial background
•    Demonstrable experience of team working and mentoring junior associates
•    Good communication skills
•    A desire to progress a career in patent litigation

A scientific background may be advantageous but is not a requirement. However, the successful candidate must be enthusiastic and able to learn quickly about new, often unfamiliar, technologies.

Competencies:

• Clear and concise written and oral communication skills

• The ability to build working relationships with a range of people at all levels

• Proactive approach with a 'can-do' attitude

• Identifies and communicates opportunities to improve the way that work is done

• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage tasks to tight timelines

• Works successfully as part of a team, sharing knowledge, collaborating with and supporting colleagues

• Committed to providing an excellent service to our clients

• Strong technical and commercial abilities

• Proactive involvement in business development and knowledge management

• Flexible in approach and adaptable to change

• Resilient and calm under pressure

• Motivated self-starter and delivery focused with a commitment to quality of work

• Takes ownership and actively looks for personal learning and development opportunities

• Demonstrates sound judgement

• A commitment to the highest level of integrity

• Focuses on finding the right solutions and problem solving

• An understanding of working across cultural boundaries

The above job description is a guide to the work you may be required to undertake but does not form part of your contract of employment and may change from time to time to reflect changing circumstances.

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.