Legal Partner - Intellectual Property in Salford

Job Description

Intellectual Property Partner / Legal Director

Location: Manchester

Salary: £100,000 – £130,000 + Equity/Partner Profit Share & C-Suite Backing

Are you an accomplished IP Partner or Senior Director with an established client following, seeking the strategic authority and firm backing to build a standalone Intellectual Property practice? Our client is a dynamic, commercially minded national law firm in Manchester known for doing law differently—putting authentic client relationships and cross-departmental collaboration at the heart of its business. Expanding its commercial practice, they are seeking an entrepreneurial IP Partner (8+ PQE) with a portable client base to establish and lead a flagship IP offering for tech, media, brand, and corporate clients nationwide.

The Opportunity

In this high-profile equity-track position, you will leverage your existing client connections and take lead operational responsibility for establishing and scaling the firm's national Intellectual Property practice. Supported directly by C-Suite leadership, senior partners, and a dedicated marketing engine, you will deliver contentious and non-contentious IP advice across trade marks, copyright, design rights, patents, and IP litigation. Designed for a commercially sharp practitioner with a proven track record of fee generation who wants to escape rigid Big Law structures, this role offers direct strategic influence, a lucrative profit distribution model, and full cross-referral backing across corporate, commercial, and media practice groups.

Key Responsibilities & Requirements

• Qualifications & Background: Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) or Chartered Trade Mark Attorney (CITMA) with a minimum of 8+ years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) specializing in Intellectual Property law within a recognized UK practice.

• Portable Client Following: Demonstrable track record of fee generation and an established, portable client following (technology, media, consumer brands, creators) to anchor and scale the practice.

• Contentious & Non-Contentious Technicals: Comprehensive expertise across brand protection strategies, portfolio management, IP enforcement/disputes, copyright, design rights, and trade mark prosecution.

• Transactional & Commercial Support: Proven ability to advise on IP dimensions of commercial deals, including IP licensing agreements, technology transfers, joint ventures, and M&A due diligence.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Active collaboration with corporate, commercial, and media practice groups to capitalize on internal cross-referral opportunities across the firm's nationwide client roster.

Package & Working Structure

• Competitive Remuneration: £100,000 – £130,000 base compensation per annum (commensurate with PQE, background, and portable following) plus attractive Partner profit share / equity distribution options.

• Agile & Hybrid Structure: Modern hybrid working policy based out of Manchester—built on trust, allowing you to choose the environment where you work best.

• Comprehensive Healthcare & Benefits: Private Medical Insurance (Vitality), Cash Plan (Medicash), salary sacrifice pension scheme (NEST), and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) extended to family members.

• Leave & Flexibility: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off (increasing with service), and enhanced wellbeing and family-friendly policies.

• Culture & Perks: Direct C-Suite and Senior Partner access from day one, regular CSR events, seasonal celebrations, referral bonuses, free fruit/drinks, and regular team lunches.

How to Apply To discuss this opportunity in complete confidence or request a full position profile, please contact Lee Hawthorne-Finch directly:

• Email: lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is acting as an employment agency for this vacancy. All applications and enquiries are treated with the strictest confidence, and candidate details are never shared without prior express consent.