Intellectual Property Lawyer

About the RoleWe 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 DoTeam 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 accuracyCoach team members and conduct performance reviewsCoordinate with management, operations and sales on brand protection prioritiesSet and improve processes for registration, document control and enforcementReport on team performance, IP portfolio status and enforcement results to senior managementRegistration & Legal DocumentationOversee 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 countriesPrepare, review and verify all legal documents required for registration, including powers of attorney, applications, assignments, declarations, priority documents and supporting evidenceArrange notarization, attestation and legalisation of documents where requiredTrack deadlines, renewals, oppositions and official correspondence, and keep a complete IP register and document fileSupervise external counsel and IP agents so filings are accurate and on timeLegal & Portfolio ManagementConduct trademark searches and clearance, and advise on brand and packaging protectionHandle oppositions, cancellations, objections and responses to examinersDraft and review licensing, distribution, NDA and brand-protection agreementsEnforcement & Anti-CounterfeitingCarry out and direct regular market visits (retail outlets, wholesale markets, malls, warehouses and trade areas) to check for counterfeit, fake and look-alike productsCollect evidence such as test purchases, photos and reports, and document infringements properlyWork with the Economic Department, Customs, Police and consumer protection authorities on inspections and seizuresSend cease-and-desist letters and pursue civil and criminal action where neededMonitor online marketplaces and social media for infringing listings and request takedownsWhat You BringLaw degree (LLB or equivalent); UAE or GCC legal qualification is preferred6-10 years of experience in intellectual property law, with strong hands-on work in trademarks and patentsProven experience leading or supervising a teamExperience managing IP registrations and the related legal documentationExperience with brand protection and anti-counterfeiting actionsSolid 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 countriesComfortable doing field work and market visits, and working with enforcement authoritiesStrong drafting, negotiation, communication and people-management skillsExcellent English; Arabic is a strong advantageExperience in consumer goods, fragrance, cosmetics or retail is a plus