A leading Cape Town-based law firm is seeking an experienced IP director with an established, transferable client base and a proven track record. This is an opportunity to establish a specialist offering within a respected firm while maintaining autonomy over practice development and client relationships.

PRACTICE AREA Intellectual property law, trademarks, patents
PQE 10+ years
LEVEL Director
‍LOCATION Johannesburg or Cape Town
REPORTING TO Managing partner

WHY THS COULD BE THE IDEAL ROLE FOR YOU

1. A genuine growth opportunity in a practice area whose commercial relevance is accelerating. IP is no longer a support function, it is a boardroom priority. 2. Director designation at a well-regarded full-service firm with the infrastructure and client base to support a serious IP practice. 3. Real autonomy to develop your market profile, shape the practice's direction, and build a client portfolio that reflects your expertise. 4. Cross-disciplinary collaboration with the firm's teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Advise clients on trade mark registration, copyright protection, patent matters, passing off claims, and IP enforcement strategy across industries. 2.     Lead IP litigation before the High Court and engage with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and specialist IP forums. 3. Draft, review, and negotiate IP licensing, assignment, co-development, and technology transfer agreements. 4. Drive business development, building clientrelationships, developing the firm's IP profile, and contributing to thought leadership in this space.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Admitted attorney withs ubstantive intellectual property law experience at director level. 2. Demonstrated capability across both contentious (litigation/ enforcement) and non-contentious( prosecution/ licensing) IP matters. 3. Experience advising brand owners, technology companies, creative industries, or pharmaceutical/ FMCGclients on IP strategy and protection. 4. A commercially minded approach, someone who treats IP as a business asset and advises accordingly.

KEY SKILLS

1. Trade mark prosecution, copyright advisory, and patent strategy. 2. IP litigation and enforcement before the High Court and specialist forums. 3. IP licensing, assignment, and co-development agreement drafting and negotiation. 4. Strategic IP portfolio management for brand-owning and technology clients. 5. Business development and thought leadership in the IP market.

CULTURE

1. Curious and commercially aware, you follow IP developments globally and understand what they mean for South African businesses. 2. Builds trust with clients who operate in fast-moving, brand-sensitive industries, from tech founders to multinational brand managers. 3. A self-directed practitioner comfortable owning a practice and growing it, without waiting for instruction.

If you are interested in the role, please send your CV and a cover letter to aphiwe@thegrmgroup.com.

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