Intellectual Property Partner / Legal Director in Leeds

Intellectual Property Partner / Legal Director

Location: Yorkshire (Leeds / Sheffield Hubs)

Salary: c.£95,000-£125,000 + 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, autonomy, and firm backing to establish and lead a flagship Intellectual Property practice across Yorkshire? Our client is a dynamic, commercially minded national law firm expanding its footprint across Yorkshire and known for doing law differently—putting authentic client relationships and cross-departmental collaboration at the heart of its business. Expanding its commercial offering across the region's vibrant digital, manufacturing, and tech hubs, they are seeking an entrepreneurial IP Partner (8+ PQE) with a portable client base to establish and lead an IP practice serving technology, 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 Yorkshire-based 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 specialist with a proven track record of fee generation who wants to escape traditional regional bureaucracy, 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) specialising in Intellectual Property law within a recognised UK practice.

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

• 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 capability to advise on IP dimensions of complex commercial deals, including IP licensing agreements, technology transfers, joint ventures, and M&A due diligence.

• Leadership & Strategy: Leadership mindset to build and mentor a team in Yorkshire as the practice scales, while actively collaborating with corporate, commercial, and media groups across the firm's national office network.

Package & Working Structure

• Competitive Remuneration: £95,000-£125,000 base compensation per annum (commensurate with PQE, Yorkshire market standing, and portable following) plus attractive Partner profit share / equity distribution options.

• Agile & Hybrid Structure: Modern hybrid working policy based out of Yorkshire (with flexible hub working)—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.

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