The role

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are looking ideally for a Senior Associate within DLA Piper's Intellectual Property and Technology group preferably in London or, alternatively, in any of our other UK offices. The IPT Group at DLA Piper is an important part of the firm with an impressive global footprint, and is divided into 5 specialised sub-groups: Commercial Contracts; IPMSE; Patents; Tech and Sourcing and Data/ Cybersecurity. Our team operates globally across more than 40 countries which means our clients benefit from a valuable combination of global insight and local knowledge that allows us to handle complex cases and multi-party, high-value project work across multiple jurisdictions. 

By joining us you will have the widest platform to progress your career, in a culture where you have a remit to make a real impact. 

With over 130 patent litigators on the ground in key jurisdictions worldwide, DLA Piper is uniquely positioned to help companies successfully navigate their patent matters around the globe. Our team of over 70 patent litigators located in the major US cities alone, plus an additional 60 patent litigators in other key jurisdictions worldwide, know the laws, the courts and the judges in the jurisdictions where most patent disputes occur.

Our deep technical bench includes lawyers with advanced degrees and/or experience in most technical areas, especially electronics, computer science, telecommunications and wireless, pharma and biotech, medical devices, chemical engineering, materials and automotive – so we can quickly understand client’s technology and industry.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This is your opportunity to work with Partners Deborah Bould and Rebecca Lawrence in the UK, plus multiple Partners and other colleagues in other key jurisdictions around the world, across a broad spread of patent related work including:

• Patent disputes including UK litigation and ADR; most of our disputes work has international aspects
• Patent advisory, such as FTO work, patentability advice, IP audits, and advising on policies, procedures and contractual terms to maximise returns on R&D investment and minimise patent risk
• Patent transactions: drafting and negotiating assignments, licences, R&D agreements, JVs; and
• Patent related corporate support such as due diligence, SPA contractual terms, patent assignments and licensing

ABOUT YOU

We do not set upper or lower limits of PQE for any of our vacancies. We have however given an indicative PQE as an approximate guide for applicants. Candidates who have between 6 – 10+ years PQE are likely to have the right level of knowledge and have gained the right level of experience needed to be able to undertake this role. 

You will: 

• Have strong technology sector and/or industrials sector experience, ideally gained working with colleagues in a global setting, and a passion for those sectors
• Ideally (though not essential) have experience in the Energy & Natural Resources sector
• Have experience of multi-jurisdictional patent litigation
• Excellent academic credentials with a strong patent litigation background and several years’ experience practising as a patent litigation solicitor or patent attorney with extensive advocacy experience e.g. at the EPO
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to connect, influence and collaborate at all levels across multiple geographies and practices
• Be able to demonstrate a deep understanding of the technical issues that are key to our clients
• Be able to demonstrate a commercially focused approach
• Recognise and seize opportunities for the firm, including repeat business
• Build and develop your own network of internal and external contacts
• Comply with professional standards and all relevant regulatory obligations

ABOUT US

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Our global reach ensures that we can help businesses with their legal needs anywhere in the world. We strive to be the leading global business law firm by delivering quality, service excellence and value to our clients and offering practical and innovative legal solutions to help them succeed. Our clients range from multinational, Global 1000, and Fortune 500 enterprises to emerging companies developing industry-leading technologies, as well as government and public sector bodies.

OUR VALUES

In everything we do connected with our People, our Clients and our Communities, we live by these values:

• Be Supportive – we are compassionate and inclusive, valuing diversity and acting thoughtfully
• Be Collaborative - we are proactive, passionate team players investing in our relationships
• Be Bold - we are fearless and inquisitive, challenging ourselves to think big and find creative new solutions
• Be Exceptional - we are strategic and driven, exceeding standards and expectations

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At DLA Piper, diversity and inclusion underpins how we live our values and everything we do.  We believe that everyone has a voice, and that everyone’s voice counts. We know that the rich diversity across our firm makes us stronger, more innovative and creative, which helps us to better serve our clients and communities. We are committed to providing an inclusive working environment and culture across our global firm, where everyone can bring their authentic self to work. 

Diversity of perspective, thought, background and culture combine to make us the leading global law firm; that’s why we actively seek to build balanced teams. 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 support anyone with a disability or long term health condition to ensure they have the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.

AGILE WORKING

We know that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That's why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

PRE-ENGAGEMENT SCREENING

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we will conduct pre-engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability and references from previous employers.