Senior Associate - Commercial Intellectual Property (London)

Our market-leading Commercial IP team advises a diverse range of clients, from established multinational brands to ambitious growth businesses, on their most important strategic and brand-related matters. The team has an outstanding reputation for expertise in franchising and distribution, advertising and marketing, and intellectual property licensing, helping clients develop, protect and commercialise their brands in the UK and internationally.

Work spans complex franchise expansion programmes, international route-to-market arrangements, innovative commercial agreements, brand licensing structures, sponsorships, promotions and regulatory compliance matters. The team is recognised as a Tier 1 franchising practice and advises many of the world's leading franchise systems, licensors, distributors and brand owners on domestic and international expansion projects and complex brand-related matters.

As a Senior Associate in this growing practice, you will lead on complex franchising, distribution, commercial and brand-related matters for a portfolio of UK and international clients, drafting and negotiating franchise, area development, licensing, distribution, sponsorship and advertising agreements. You will advise on expansion strategies and routes-to-market, support clients on advertising and marketing compliance, mentor junior lawyers, and contribute to business development and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

• Qualified lawyer with substantial post-qualification experience in commercial IP, franchising, licensing and distribution.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills across franchise, licensing, distribution and other strategic commercial agreements.
• Experience advising on brand commercialisation, expansion strategies and routes-to-market.
• Familiarity with advertising and marketing compliance, promotions and regulatory considerations.
• Ability to manage large client matters with limited supervision and to mentor and delegate to junior colleagues.
• Collaborative, client-focused approach with an interest in business development and knowledge sharing.