Based in Munich, Opie is located at a beating heart for technology and innovation. Their goal is to facilitate the creation, protection, use and exploitation of their client’s intellectual property in a managed risk and advanced governance environment. Their focus is on clients’ growing business relationships and opportunities in European and Australian markets.
The firm provides specialist IP advice and legal services tailored to their clients’ needs. They have experience advising large European and global organisations with respect to their IP across their substantial geographical reach.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Opie is growing, and the firm is looking for an experienced lawyer specialising in intellectual property (IP) policy. The position provides a dynamic environment in a boutique law firm specialising in international law and technology.
Key responsibilities and requirements of the IP policy lawyer role will include:
- Supporting clients in implementing IP policies in relation to strategic licensing program with focus on standard essential patents,
- Advising on the legal and regulatory landscape for patents, including standard essential patents, from an international and European perspective
- Advising and representing clients regarding membership and participation in standards development organisations (SDOs), industry groups and regulatory bodies (ETSI, ITU/TSAG, ISO/IEC, DVB, CEN CENELEC, 3GPP, ANSI, IEEE etc),
- Participation in SDO committees on behalf of clients (IPR, General Assembly, Steering Board etc) advocate on behalf of clients before governmental and regulatory entities (US DOJ, UK, Japan, China, European Commission) on licensing in standards area (patents and copyright (software)), as well as advance the interests of clients in legislative matters
- Monitoring the policy landscape, and advise clients on key developments that are relevant to their businesses, including outreach to government officials on IP matters where necessary
- Working in close collaboration with clients to help them formulate IP policy positions and mitigate IP risks, as well as safeguarding the client’s long-term IPR interests at a strategic level
- Leverage or build relations with policymakers and institutions to ensure the clients’ interests are represented and their voice is heard on IPR Policy related topics where needed.
- Lead IP-related advocacy activities in Europe and aboard
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate is likely to satisfy the following criteria:
- Qualification as a German lawyer having completed 1st and 2nd state examination with above-average results; lawyers who obtained their qualifications from other key jurisdictions will also be considered as long as they are able to register to practice law with the Munich Bar Association;
- A postgraduate law degree (LL.M.) with specialisation in IP Law and/or Competition Law is a plus;
- Demonstrated knowledge regarding international law (choice of governing law, WTO instruments, INCOTerms, CISG);
- Demonstrated understanding of international trade objectives and policy matters, and core international instruments, in order to provide relevant, appropriately addressed documents for clients at government and SDO level;
- Ability to identify legal and policy matters of relevance for our clients; understand the significance and the potential consequences of such matters in a broader, international context; realise the interplay between different policies, actions etc. in a given situation;
- Ideally fluent in English and German with strong written and verbal communication skills; candidates who are not fluent in German may also be considered;
These soft qualities will also be looked upon favourably:
- Ability to work in a focused and results-oriented manner in a dynamic environment;
- Excellent work ethic;
- Very good interpersonal and intercultural skills;
- Flexibility, resilience, and reliability;
- Willingness to travel occasionally across Europe and overseas;
- Strong interest in technology.
