Senior Associate – Intellectual Property

Overview

In this Senior Associate role, you will lead complex IP matters, including licensing, assignments, and brand protection, while guiding dispute management for a diverse client base. You’ll provide strategic IP advice within a collaborative Commercial Services team at Markel Law, helping grow the IP capability and client offering. You’ll mentor junior lawyers and contribute to initiatives that enhance processes, tools, and thought leadership. The position offers autonomy, a people-first culture, and opportunities to shape how the IP practice evolves as part of a growing, cross‑functional team.

Pay / Benefits

• Competitive salary + annual bonus
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (with buy/sell options)
• Private medical, dental, life assurance, income protection & travel insurance
• Excellent pension scheme
• Genuine work–life balance
• Learning and leadership development programmes

Responsibilities

• Lead on complex IP matters, including licensing, assignments, copyright and trademark issues
• Provide strategic IP advice to a wide range of clients across varied sectors
• Mentor and develop junior lawyers within the team
• Collaborate with the Head of Commercial on initiatives and team development
• Support business growth through relationship building and marketing/thought-leadership activity
• Enhance advice lines and create tools, templates, and automated solutions to deliver high-quality services

Key requirements

• Qualified solicitor with strong PQE in intellectual property
• Technically excellent with deep knowledge of IP rights, licensing and enforcement
• Experienced in managing complex cases and delivering commercially focused advice
• Confident communicator with ability to build internal and external relationships
• Commercially aware, proactive, and able to identify growth opportunities
• Collaborative and enjoy mentoring in an innovative environment

• strong communication
• mentoring and collaboration
• proactivity
• IP rights
• licensing
• enforcement

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