Our Trade Mark Enforcement Department has a vacant position for a qualified Attorney specialising in anticounterfeiting. We are looking for an energetic and highly driven candidate to become part of this well established and growing anticounterfeiting practice. The ideal candidate is confident with excellent written and oral communication abilities, ability to handle multiple priorities and a good understanding of client needs.  If you enjoy anticounterfeiting enforcement work including training, search and seizure operations, and multi jurisdictional matters and have the desire to take your career to the next level, then this is for you. This role represents a great opportunity within a challenging and professional environment.

Key responsibilities of the Trade Mark Senior Associate will include, but not limited to:

• Drafting legal documents i.e. opinions, contracts, agreements, letters of demand and articles;
• Monthly invoicing of fees and disbursements;
• Compilation of quotes;
• File and document management (uploading documents, correspondences, managing/ monitoring deadlines, court online processes);
• Liaising with clients and agents;
• Attending consultations with counsel;
• Day to day running of Anti-Counterfeiting practice.
• Arranging and delivering brand identification training seminars to Customs and Police authorities across Africa;
• Coordinating and participating in search and seizure operations to defend clients’ intellectual property rights in countries such as Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe;
• Following up on enforcement actions with rigorous civil and criminal litigation in relation to anti-counterfeiting.

Minimum requirements:

• Completed LLB with 2 years of Clerkship served in an IP firm;
• Admitted Attorney;
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in Anti-Counterfeiting
• Knowledge and understanding of Trade Marks is essential as is completion of the trade mark practitioner’s examination;
• Experience in and ability to do legal research and draft opinions;
• Fully computer literate on MS Office (Knowledge Patricia and Elite 3E will be advantageous);
• Excellent written & oral communication skills and good command of English;
• Must be able to multi-task;
• Able to work independently;
• Deadline driven;
• Good team player;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Personal development abilities;
• Client focused;
• Good negotiation skills;
• Able to maintain an orderly working environment;
• Punctual and reliable;
• Good work ethics.