About the Role
We are looking for an experienced IP and Trademark Lawyer to lead our IP and brand protection team. You will oversee the registration of our IP rights, prepare and review the legal documents they require, lead action against counterfeiters, and work in the field to spot fake products in the market.
What You'll Do
Team Leadership (new)
- Lead, guide and develop the IP and brand protection team.
- Assign tasks, set priorities and deadlines, and review the team's work for quality and accuracy
- Coach team members and conduct performance reviews
- Coordinate with management, operations and sales on brand protection priorities
- Set and improve processes for registration, document control and enforcement
- Report on team performance, IP portfolio status and enforcement results to senior management
Registration & Legal Documentation
- Oversee the full registration process for trademarks, patents, designs and other IP rights, from filing to certificate, in the UAE, GCC and international markets including the US, EU, CIS and other countries
- Prepare, review and verify all legal documents required for registration, including powers of attorney, applications, assignments, declarations, priority documents and supporting evidence
- Arrange notarization, attestation and legalisation of documents where required
- Track deadlines, renewals, oppositions and official correspondence, and keep a complete IP register and document file
- Supervise external counsel and IP agents so filings are accurate and on time
Legal & Portfolio Management
- Conduct trademark searches and clearance, and advise on brand and packaging protection
- Handle oppositions, cancellations, objections and responses to examiners
- Draft and review licensing, distribution, NDA and brand-protection agreements
Enforcement & Anti-Counterfeiting
- Carry out and direct regular market visits (retail outlets, wholesale markets, malls, warehouses and trade areas) to check for counterfeit, fake and look-alike products
- Collect evidence such as test purchases, photos and reports, and document infringements properly
- Work with the Economic Department, Customs, Police and consumer protection authorities on inspections and seizures
- Send cease-and-desist letters and pursue civil and criminal action where needed
- Monitor online marketplaces and social media for infringing listings and request takedowns
What You Bring
- Law degree (LLB or equivalent); UAE or GCC legal qualification is preferred
- 6-10 years of experience in intellectual property law, with strong hands-on work in trademarks and patents
- Proven experience leading or supervising a team
- Experience managing IP registrations and the related legal documentation
- Experience with brand protection and anti-counterfeiting actions
- Solid knowledge of UAE and GCC IP laws, customs recordal and enforcement procedures, plus working knowledge of IP registration and enforcement in international markets including the US, EU, CIS and other countries
- Comfortable doing field work and market visits, and working with enforcement authorities
- Strong drafting, negotiation, communication and people-management skills
- Excellent English; Arabic is a strong advantage
- Experience in consumer goods, fragrance, cosmetics or retail is a plus
