Intellectual Property Associate

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We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

This is a great opportunity for a primarily non-contentious IP associate to join the IP practice of a prestigious international law firm for which life sciences and technology are two of the firm's key areas of focus.

You would join a team which is ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers UK legal guides and in specialist IP directories such as the World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000 and IAM Patent 1000. You would work with team members who are recognised as leading individuals in transaction work in the IP field.
You would be part of an IP practice which works across transaction, advisory and litigation matters and has considerable experience advising clients on both domestic and international issues, including on cross-border matters. The team advises on the full range of IP rights: trade marks, patents, copyright, database rights, designs, domain names and confidential information (including trade secrets). We have particular strengths in the life sciences, technology and consumer/retail brand sectors but work across all sectors in which the firm is active. We have built a formidable reputation and client base.

We are now seeking a candidate with significant non-contentious experience from a recognised IP transaction team. This is likely to include experience advising on the drafting and negotiation of IP licences, partnering, collaboration and R&D agreements as well as on the IP aspects of mergers, acquisitions and investments and the IP aspects of commercial contracts such as manufacturing and distribution arrangements.

Ideally the candidate would have experience of complex examples of these types of transactions in particular in the life sciences sector.

You could expect to act for a number of high-profile international clients such as Bicycle Therapeutics, Avacta, Oxford Biomedica, BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, GE Healthcare and UCB. You can see examples of our work in the life sciences sector on our life sciences hub: https://www.thelifescienceshub.com. You would have significant client exposure and work directly with partners in the team.

• Draft and deliver complex and bespoke agreements and think creatively to propose and deliver innovative solutions.
• Action complex instructions directly and effectively manage relationships with clients.
• Analyse and prioritise client needs to deliver commercially focused advice.
• Build relationships both externally and internally with existing and/or new contacts/clients.
• Lead on legal projects to deliver matters profitably.
• Work collaboratively with others including coaching, supervising, and developing junior colleagues.

• Experience in taking ownership for a matter, particularly in relation to technical expertise and client service in addition to project management and driving a matter forwards.
• In-depth knowledge of market practice in agreements of the above nature; an understanding of the life sciences sector ecosystem, including significant companies, trends, technologies and market conditions.
• Proven track record of identifying and pursuing business development opportunities with others, including attending relevant industry events and helping to secure instructions from new and existing clients.
• Able to leverage existing network of contacts and having an internal and external profile.
  An aptitude and responsibility for all aspects of financial management on matters with a business savvy and commercial approach.

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.

With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.

Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.

We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Our Values
Individuality - We encourage creativity and devlop talent.
Commitment - To be the best and deliver the highest standard.
Teamwork - We work together to build close, long-term relationships.
Straight talking - We say what we mean and do what we say.

Our Vision into 2026

To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.

This version is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character - the attributes we want to see from all of our people. That's how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.

A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: energy transition; life sciences and healthcare; private capital and funds; technology; transportation and trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable grow