Senior Associate - Commercial & IP in Winchester

Our client is a well-established law firm in the South of England, recognised for its strong commercial practice. Its Commercial team is one of the most sizeable and experienced in the region and continues to grow in response to client demand.

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking to expand its Commercial team with the appointment of a Senior Associate. This role will focus on a mix of intellectual property and broader commercial matters, with particular responsibility for:

• Intellectual property work, including responsibility for the firm's in-house international trade mark function;
• Commercial matters with a strong IP element, including complex IP-driven agreements.

The position can be based in Southampton, Winchester or Bournemouth.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing the full lifecycle of trade mark prosecution, including drafting and filing applications, handling examination and publication stages through to registration, and dealing with oppositions and appeals on behalf of both applicants and opponents.
• Working confidently with the UK and EU Intellectual Property Offices and navigating their procedures and online systems.
• Supervising a CITMA-qualified trade mark paralegal as part of the firm's in-house trade mark service.
• Drafting and negotiating a wide range of IP-related agreements, including licences, assignments and ownership arrangements, and advising early-stage businesses on protecting and exploiting their IP assets.
• Preparing, reviewing and advising on commercial and IT contracts, such as software licences (on-premise and SaaS), IT support and maintenance agreements, systems integration contracts, distribution and agency agreements, franchise arrangements and general services agreements.
• Advising on trade marks, designs and copyright, with a working understanding of patents.
• Supporting IP-related disputes, including advising on prospects of success and working alongside the dispute resolution team on pleadings, counsel liaison and settlement documentation.
• Contributing to business development initiatives and helping to generate new instructions.
• Supporting and mentoring junior members of the team and contributing to their ongoing development.

Candidate Profile

• Typically around 5+ years' PQE, although flexibility may be considered for a candidate with the right experience. Regular involvement in IP work is essential.
• Experience of handling international trade mark matters (including pre-Brexit work) would be advantageous, demonstrating the ability to manage competing deadlines across multiple jurisdictions.
• Strong grounding in commercial law with particular strength in IP matters.
• Proven experience of IP dispute work.
• Commercially astute with the ability to provide practical, client-focused advice.
• In-depth experience of trade mark prosecution.
• Confidence in negotiating and drafting a broad range of IP agreements.
• Willingness to contribute to business development, including writing articles, presenting seminars and delivering training.

Salary & Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, our client offers a comprehensive benefits package. Salary remuneration is set at a level that reflects experience, practice area and location. Independent market data is used to ensure salaries remain competitive and aligned with the wider market.

• Performance-related bonus: Our client operates a performance-focused culture. Where individual and firm performance criteria are met, eligible employees may receive a discretionary bonus in addition to base salary.
• Benefits include 26 days' annual leave, increasing by one day for each year of service up to a maximum of 30 days, plus bank holidays, pension scheme participation, private medical insurance (subject to eligibility), group income protection (subject to eligibility), life assurance, personal accident insurance, reduced fees on legal services, and online shopping discounts through a staff benefits platform.

Wellbeing

The wellbeing of employees is a key priority. Support includes access to trained Mental Health First Aiders, health assessments (subject to eligibility), an annual wellbeing-focused initiative, seasonal flu vaccinations, eye care vouchers, financial wellbeing support, including access to professional financial advice, and an Employee Assistance Programme.

You will be part of a collaborative team of driven, approachable and supportive professionals, all committed to helping one another develop and succeed. Our client places real importance on maintaining a healthy work–life balance and has a range of initiatives designed to support this. These include mentoring opportunities, wellbeing programmes and regular social events. An open and inclusive culture is actively promoted, creating an environment where individuals are encouraged to contribute, grow and thrive.

All three offices are centrally located in their respective cities, with easy access to mainline train stations, shops and green spaces. Bournemouth offers its famous pier and miles of sandy coastline, Winchester is known for its historic cathedral and riverside setting, and Southampton is home to a vibrant port, with the office just a short walk away.