Partner / Legal Director

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The firm
Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: property, corporate services, litigation and private client advisory.

We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.

With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.
The department
Our vibrant and growing IP Team advises a wide range of clients on matters relating to all aspects of IP.

The team currently comprises 7 specialist IP lawyers, led by Partner, Maria Peyman, but Birketts now has ambitious plans to recruit into our new Bristol office as part of our growth strategy.

In addition, our IP Disputes team has the support and resources of a large litigation team and similarly the non-contentious IP specialists can draw from the wealth of experience in the wider commercial and technology team.

We collaborate with clients from a wide range of sectors, including some household names and undertake high quality IP work acting for clients in all specialist IP forums, including complex High Court disputes. We are suitably proud of the high quality of work we undertake even with a relatively small IP team and we are therefore keen to expand that team and take on even more of that high quality work.

We have established relationships with overseas attorneys to ensure that we can support our clients on an international scale.

Ranked Tier 2 in Legal 500, you will join a successful and enthusiastic IP team which works and collaborates closely as a supportive team of colleagues. This is a great opportunity to be a key member of a growing team with potential for further development and progression.
The candidate
The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial, enthusiastic, ambitious, energetic, and must have specialist expertise in IP law and confident in advising clients directly, to lead on your own matters.

To complement the skills of existing lawyers within the team and with a view to the envisaged areas of growth for the team of particular interest are candidates who have experience in patent litigation.

You will be involved in a range of business development activities, including attending networking and other BD events, supporting on tenders/pitches, and writing sector-relevant articles for our own and external publications.

Strong technical drafting, research and communication skills, with good attention to detail and a commercial/pragmatic approach are essential qualities, as is the ability to deliver a strongly client-focussed service, giving clear, timely and practical legal advice on often complex, technical areas of IP law.
Qualifications/Experience
We are looking to recruit an individual who has the drive and commitment to assist Birketts' in the continued growth and development of our IP practice and to become an essential core member of our team.

• Qualified Solicitor of at least 8 years PQE
• Proficient level of experience as an IP law specialist
• A keen interest in business development and growth opportunities.

Equal opportunities
One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we are appreciative of the people who work for us, and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. A competitive salary and benefits package is given but you can also expect a great team and supportive colleagues, a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, a programme of wellbeing and mental health support and structured career development and study support.

https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/

Highlighting:

• 30 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
• Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share / Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid ESG day (Environmental, Social and Governance)
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Agile Working Policy
• Dress for your Day Policy

Partner benefits discussed at interview stage .

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.