Trade Mark Attorney

An Associate position has become available at Adams & Adams (Pretoria) within a trade marks prosecution team managing a fast-moving pracitce.

**Duties and responsibilities include**:

- Conducting trade mark portfolio reviews for new and existing clients
- Preparing and drafting legal correspondence including responses to client enquiries, routine correspondence in accordance with client standing instructions
- Managing and monitoring the accounting matters of the practice, including Work In Progresss (WIP) and Debtors.
- Overseeing the processing of foreign associates' invoices for payment.
- Dealing with urgent matters and client requests
- Conducting trade mark clearance projects, including searches and international screening
- Preparing comprehensive and well-researched search reports to clients, taking into account regulatory requirements, copyright and other forms of IP
- Co-ordinating cost estimate requests and providing accurate quotes to clients for trade mark prosecution, renewal and formality processes throughout Africa and international territories
- Assisting and co-ordinating with tenders and Request for Proposal (RFP) projects
- Managing portfolio transfers in a streamlined manner
- Assisting in trade mark filing strategy discussions by providing well-researched opinions and advice
- Conducting due diligence projects in an accurate and timeous manner
- Preparing well-researched and considered trade mark related legal advice and opinions
- Effective management of deadlines by following a reliable system to follow up consistently on all matters
- Managing an electronic diary
- Preparing reports and schedules
- Considering official actions in relation to local laws and reporting to client without delay
- Preparing correspondence to the Registry complying with official actions in accordance with client instructions
- Researching and assisting with classification queries
- Ensuring that client standing instructions and A&A’s records are updated accurately and timeously when required
- Preparing marketing material, including articles for publication
- Preparing for and attending client visits
- Commitment to maintaining existing client relationships and establishing relationships with new clients

**Skills and knowledge**
- Excellent language skills (good command of English, both written and verbal)
- Computer literate in Microsoft Word and Excel
- A general understanding of accounting and invoicing procedures
- A meticulous, responsible person with a sense of urgency, who is able to prioritise duties
- Attention to detail is essential
- A conscientious, loyal and dedicated person, with the ability to think laterally
- Someone with a professional attitude
- Ability to give clear instructions to a secretary
- Prepared to work long hours where necessary
- Ability to work independently but also take initiative to engage with superiors where necessary
- Knowledge of relevant Acts - e.g. Trade Marks Act.
- Willingness to learn
- Excellent communication and writing skills
- The ability and drive to progress
- Leadership skills
- Commitment to the practice and the firm
- Academic excellence
- Enthusiasm, initiative and creativity
- Integrity and a zero-tolerance for negative intent
- Ability to attract and generate work
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to maintain composure and work effectively under pressure

**Qualification/s**
- Admitted attorney
- Post qualification experience required
- Trade Marks Prosecution experience
- Qualified Trade Marks Practitioner, in the process of being qualified (advantageous), or a real intention to qualify as a Trade Mark Practitioner busy with SAIIPL exams
- Experience of working in an IP firm will be highly advantageous
- 3 years post articles experience (advantageous)