Associate, Branding and Advertising

JOB TITLE: Associate

GROUP: Branding and Advertising

REPORTING TO: Tahir Basheer, Partner

TERM: Permanent

HOURS: Full-time, 9:30am – 5:30pm, Monday to Friday with one hour for lunch. A flexible approach to working hours is a must, overtime may be required at busy times.

We currently operate a hybrid working policy with at least 3 days office working per week. Our hybrid working policy is discretionary and may be subject to change.

ABOUT SHERIDANS

Since 1956, Sheridans has represented individuals and organisations across a wide variety of sectors, providing quality advice which is commercially focussed and personally delivered. Specialist lawyers in leisure, media and entertainment work closely alongside the firm’s corporate finance, employment, real estate and dispute resolution groups to provide a truly bespoke service to its clients.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Our branding and advertising team is highly regarded and our experienced advertising and brand lawyers offer expert advice on the protection, promotion, exploitation and monetisation of content and brands.

The team works with some of a number of the top creative agencies, production agencies, advertising agencies, managers, national and international celebrities, and talent across the broad spectrum that comprises the media and entertainment generally as well some of the top brands that are tangential to the sector, including fashion and beauty brands, leisure and hospitality household names, consumer brands, music and technology brands, to list a few.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking an Associate with a commercial IP specialism to join Sheridans. The successful candidate will be experienced working in the media, entertainment, beauty, fashion, social media industries and generally have experience in both commercial and contentious matters concerning both IP and commercial matters.

The successful candidate will need to be flexible and have a strong willingness and enthusiasm to be involved in a variety of projects with a ‘soft-IP’ focus. The team’s work is often at the forefront of the sectors in which the firm operates and requires a candidate with positive and innovative mindset to address the creative and commercial needs of the team’s diverse client base.

The candidate will need to show a strong understanding of commercial IP matters and other IP advisory issues as well as be competent in dealing with associated contentious matters on behalf of client as and when they arise.

The role operates a high level of client contact and the candidate will be expected to work effectively with other members of the team (and broader teams within the firm), delegating where necessary, in addition to building and managing their relationships with clients, with support and supervision from Partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advising on commercial IP matters relating to content including without limitation with respect to the production, exploitation, and distribution of content (including digital content) on various platforms (online and linear), and drafting related agreements (such as but not limited to, podcast agreements, content licensing and distribution agreements, production agreements, media buying, and creative agreements etc.)
• Brand work, including advising clients on brand (including trade mark) strategy, brand protection/creation, brand licensing and similar co-branded joint ventures, and drafting associated applications and/or agreements (such as but not limited to: advising and drafting intellectual property assignments, licences, joint venture agreements)
• Advising and drafting commercial contracts with agencies and their stakeholders in relation to a host of different advertising and marketing related campaigns (including without limitation in relation to online/ digital, linear, event based, and out of home initiatives)
• Advertising regulatory advisory work, including advising clients on: (i) digital regulation; (ii) online safety; and (iii) ASA and CMA related rules and regulations (e.g., CAP Code, BCAP). This work includes advising clients on copy clearance, disclosure requirements and handling complaints or investigations by the regulators (ASA and/or CMA)
• Advising on publishing, print and new media matters
• Advising on sponsorship arrangements, including without limitation celebrity endorsements and social media and influencer marketing arrangements with talent, and drafting related agreements
• Advising talent managers and talent agencies in relation to their business dealings and contracts with talent and, vice versa, advising talent in relation to their business dealings and contracts with their managers and agencies (including within the fashion, entertainment, beauty, social media, art, and music sectors)
• Talent advisory work including advising talent on their business dealings, business ventures, image rights, licensing and income arrangements and service level agreements with both third parties and their personal service company (or companies)
• Advising clients in relation to shareholders’ rights and interests (predominantly in brand related/ IP heavy transactions), including working closely with our corporate teams to provide transaction support in relation to IP matters concerning such transactions
• Working on supply chain matters in relation to goods and services and in respect of both ‘Business-to-Business’ and ‘Business-to-Consumer’ arrangements, including without limitation merchandise production and fulfilment, manufacturing agreements, distribution agreements, tech licensing agreements, e-commerce arrangements which includes both business terms and conditions of sale and consumer terms and conditions of sale, and freelancer/ consultant agreements for goods and services.

Contentious

• Brand enforcement and prosecution work, including drafting cease and desist letters in relation to IP infringements (namely in respect of copyright, designs, trade mark infringement and passing-off) and working closely with both our trade mark department and the firm’s litigation department in relation to settlement and/or matters that progress to UK and EU IPO registry tribunals and/or courts;
• Domain names disputes; including advising on the same and dealing with related proceedings and/or settlement;
• Dispute resolution in respect to matters concerning breach of contract. Such work includes drafting letters before action, advising clients on litigation/ alternative dispute resolution strategies, mediation, and settlement (including drafting and advising on settlement agreements);
• Reputation management in relation to both brands and talent. Namely, dealing with matters concerning trade mark infringements, passing-off, false endorsements, unlicensed use of image rights, defamation etc.

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and is intended to be indicative of representative work flows that the Branding and Trade Marks team regularly undertakes for its wide client base.

The successful candidate will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the Firm and the overall business needs.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate should have experience in, and can expect to work on, the responsibilities and work types listed above.

The successful candidate will also be able to demonstrate the following:

Skills & experience

• At least 3-6 years of post-qualification experience within established and recognised practices
• A methodical approach to work with a strong focus on accuracy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience liaising with senior internal stakeholders
• Enthusiasm, resilience, and a professional approach, with an excellent customer service ethic
• Ability to liaise with, persuade and influence colleagues at all levels
• Ability to remain organised, prioritise and multi-task particularly when managing a large workload under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Ability to work confidentially, remaining discreet at all times
• Flexibility towards working out of regular hours at busy times

Qualifications

• Qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Our aim is for all staff to feel welcomed at Sheridans and ultimately be their true self at work. We are proud to promote inclusion & diversity among clients, candidates, and staff as an equal opportunities employer. It is our policy to support people who hold Protected Characteristics (under the Equality Act 2010) both internally and externally through supporting practices based solely upon merit.

HOW TO APPLY

If you would like to apply, please email us using recruitment@sheridans.co.uk and include the following to allow us to consider your application:

• An up-to-date copy of your CV
• A covering letter
• Any details in relation to nationality and visa requirements, if relevant
• Your salary expectations
• Your notice period and availability to commence a role with Sheridans

AGENCY NOTICE

From time to time, we partner with recruitment agencies to assist us with our resourcing needs. Please note that we are not currently seeking agency support for this vacancy and any unsolicited submissions will not be considered.