Associate - Trade Marks

We’re on the lookout for a motivated and enthusiastic Associate, to join our dynamic team of trade mark and branding experts at AJ Park. You’ll have around 4 years' PQE with solid IP experience, and will be based within our Wellington team, working well in a hybrid work setting.

Our clients span a variety of industries and sectors, ranging from emerging innovators through to large corporates. You’ll be working with some of the world’s largest and most exciting brands, as well as some of the most innovative New Zealand businesses.

This role encompasses end-to-end trade mark client portfolio management, including proactively collaborating with clients, providing strategic advice, and managing their international trade mark portfolios. You will be able to take direct responsibility for client work with minimum supervision, providing advice and expertise.

With the ability to juggle multiple priorities, you’ll be involved in anything from liaising with IPONZ and IP Australia, to devising international filing strategies, all while translating legal jargon into plain English. You will be conducting and reporting trade mark searches, filing and prosecuting applications in New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands and beyond, and preparing evidence of use. You will be working with an international cohort of trade mark specialists to ensure our clients' brands are protected and enforced.

Strong communication skills are a must, with the ability to think commercially and critically when providing advice for clients. Clarity, effectiveness, and persuasiveness are essential. You will be surrounded by experienced practitioners within the immediate team and wider firm - this means a collaborative approach is critical, as is the ability to be flexible.

You will be comfortable self-managing meeting and managing financial targets, including day book, WIP, debtors, billable and non-billable hours.

What’s in it for you?

We offer rewarding careers to talented individuals, competitive salaries, and a holistic range of benefits to support your life balance, whatever your circumstance. These include:

• Annual paid Wellbeing Benefit
• An array of additional wellness benefits such as free confidential counselling services, access to our Wellbeing portal with an extensive range of advice and resources, free flu vaccinations and subsidised sporting events
• Flexible leave options, including the ability to purchase additional annual leave
• Gender-neutral support for all stages of the parental journey – check us out on the GoCrayon Parental Leave Register
• Paid time off for volunteering and involvement in citizenship activities
• Hybrid working across a mix of office, client and remote, and the option of flexible working. This recognises that our people have individual circumstances and preferences when it comes to where, when and how they work
• The ability to work from overseas and extend time connecting with friends and family outside of New Zealand
• Professional development offerings across all career levels
• An invitation to join your local office social club and enjoy events aimed at bringing people together
• Beautifully renovated offices in a central city location, close to transport hubs

We believe that diversity of background and experience strengthens relationships and delivers meaningful benefits to our people, clients and communities. Our goal is to be recognised as an employer of choice for all, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, generation, flexible work status, family circumstances, sexual orientation or disability. If you have access needs and require support or adjustments to participate equitably in the recruitment process, please contact Emma Wood ((04) 474 0886 or emma.wood@ajpark.com).

Who are we?

We are not your typical law firm. We dress for our day, have a flat structure and a collegial environment where bringing your whole self to work is at the heart of who we are.

AJ Park is the IP Firm of choice in New Zealand. We support our clients with intelligent action and are well respected both within the patent profession and the clients we work with.

Recruitment Agencies: The recruitment for this role is being managed directly by the AJ Park Careers Team. We will contact our preferred agency partners if we require agency assistance. Thank you for your understanding.