Patent & Trademark Attorney (Pretoria, South Africa → U.S. Career Track With Litigation Training)

Company Description

Trademarkia is the world's leading visual search engine for trademarks, providing easy access to a vast database of millions of trademarks worldwide. With a global client base of over 120,000, Trademarkia empowers individuals and businesses through free tools for conducting trademark searches, filings, monitoring, and legal automation. By leveraging advanced technologies and a collaborative approach with licensed attorneys, Trademarkia delivers accessible and user-friendly trademark solutions. Headquartered in the US and internationally recognized, their platform simplifies intellectual property protection for users across Canada, Australia, the UK, EUIPO, and other regions.

Role Description

This is a full-time, on-site role in Pretoria, South Africa, for a Patent & Trademark Attorney on a U.S. career track with litigation training. The attorney will be responsible for managing patent and trademark portfolios, conducting legal research, preparing and filing trademark and patent applications, and advising clients on intellectual property matters. Other responsibilities include handling trademark infringement cases, domain name disputes, and participating in cross-border legal cases. The candidate will be extensively trained and offered career growth opportunities within Trademarkia's U.S.-based legal framework.

Qualifications

• Competence in Law and a strong understanding of Patent Law & Trademark Law.
• Proficiency in Patents, Trademarks, Domain Names, and Trademark Law concepts.
• Knowledge and experience in Patent Law and relevant intellectual property regulations.
• Exceptional analytical skills, attention to detail, and an ability to work effectively on complex legal matters.
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent legal academic qualifications; admission to practice law in South Africa is required.
• Prior experience in intellectual property, trademark, or patent law is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a client-focused approach.
• An interest or willingness to build a career in the U.S. legal practice system with comprehensive litigation training.

This is a
full-time, on-site role in Pretoria, South Africa
for an ambitious
Patent & Trademark Attorney
who wants to build a long-term
U.S.-centered IP and litigation career
.

Although based in Pretoria initially, this position serves
U.S. clients exclusively
and includes a unique professional pathway:

1. IP Prosecution Work (U.S. Focus)

• Manage U.S. and international patent and trademark portfolios.
• Conduct prior art searches, clearance opinions, and USPTO filings.
• Prepare patent specifications, office action responses, and trademark submissions.
• Advise U.S. clients—including startups, engineers, founders, and enterprises—on patentability, branding strategy, and global protection.

2. Trademark Enforcement & Domain Name Disputes

• Assist with U.S. TTAB matters, oppositions, cancellations, and infringement disputes.
• Support UDRP filings and domain name recovery matters.
• Draft cease-and-desist letters, enforcement strategies, and dispute correspondence.

3. Cross-Border Disputes & Litigation Training

You will receive
hands-on litigation training
from California-based attorneys, including:

• U.S. trademark and patent litigation basics
• Motion drafting, legal research, and federal court procedure
• Evidence review and discovery processes
• Preparing filings for federal courts and the TTAB
• Learning U.S. litigation strategy in IP and general commercial disputes

4. U.S. Career Growth & Bar Qualification

Trademarkia provides a structured pathway for:

• Training in the
  U.S. legal system
• Eligibility guidance for the
  California Bar Exam
• Opportunities to travel to and work from
  Mountain View, California
• Building a future
  U.S.-based IP and litigation practice

This role is ideal for a South African attorney seeking
global impact
, a highly technical IP practice, and eventual involvement in
U.S. federal litigation
.

Qualifications
Required

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent legal qualification.
• Admitted to practice as an Attorney in South Africa.
• Strong competence in
  Patent Law
  and
  Trademark Law
  , including research, drafting, and prosecution.
• Familiarity with domain names, UDRP concepts, and brand protection strategies.
• Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and technical reasoning ability.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• A client-focused, problem-solving mindset.
• Clear interest in
  U.S. law
  , cross-border practice, and litigation training.

Highly Desirable

• Prior experience drafting patent specifications or responding to patent/trademark office actions.
• Experience in IP litigation, commercial litigation, or enforcement matters.
• Technical degree or background (engineering, computer science, physics, chemistry, or related fields).
• Prior work with USPTO, WIPO, EUIPO, or global IP systems.
• Experience using legal technology, AI tools, or advanced IP software.

Personal Attributes

• Ambitious and eager to grow into a global practitioner.
• Comfortable working across time zones and with U.S.-based attorneys.
• Driven, entrepreneurial, and excited about building a cross-border career.
• Adaptable to a hybrid role that includes prosecution, enforcement, and litigation training.