Graduate Solicitor - Litigation (Rolling Intake)

About AJ Park

AJ Park, a prominent intellectual property services provider in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific region, boasts extensive experience and a sizable team across offices in Auckland and Wellington. Catering to a diverse clientele ranging from international agents to major corporations, they specialize in patents, trademarks, commercial, and litigation services, offering sector-specific expertise across various industries such as biotechnology, IT, engineering, and consumer goods.

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Your role

AJ Park has a newly created full-time role for a talented, ambitious solicitor looking to take their first step into the world of IP litigation. This role is involved in client work from early on, working across different levels of the team and inter-office, to achieve the best outcomes for their clients. 

You will join a high-performing team working with local and international clients across a wide range of industries and sectors, to navigate the best path to enforce their IP rights or assist them in dealing with any challenge by third parties involving IP rights. Their clients range from industry leaders to emerging innovators.

Responsibilities

Technical

• Preparing standard letters for reporting to clients, and drafting responses to the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) and IP Australia (IPAU).
• Preparing pleadings documents for IPONZ and IPAU.
• Assisting with preparation and collation of evidence.
• Arranging for execution of legal documents.
• Legal research and writing.
• Drafting standard screening/estimate/prepayment emails for new inquiries.
• Checking IP registers for relevant rights.
• Watching search services.
• Internet research to identify potential infringers and use searching.
• Drafting basic enforcement letters.
• Preparing takedown requests.
• Managing Customs Notice portfolios.
• Liaising with NZ Customs, Australian Border Force and other agencies.

Financial

• Meeting financial targets – day book, WIP, billable and non-billable hours.
• Developing a commercial understanding of the mechanics of the firm.

Leadership

• Live the AJ Park Values.
• Develop an awareness of leadership qualities.
• Form good working relationships within the team and firm.
• Participate in initiatives within the team and across the firm. 

Marketing & Business Development

• Develop an awareness of clients’ business interests and the macroeconomy.
• Actively participate in building the AJ Park profile and own professional profile, through LinkedIn and other platforms.

Professional Standards

• Adhere to the AJ Park Quality Management Procedures.
• Comply with the conduct client care standards of the legal profession.
• Comply with AJ Park Health and Safety practices and procedures.
• A strong commitment to internal and external relationships.
• Maintain high-quality personal standards and self-management.

Professional development

• Ensure an appropriate level of CPD per NZLS requirements.
• Ensure regular attendance at in-house and off-site seminars.
• Keep up-to-date with legal developments in the IP field.
• Member of relevant professional organisations as appropriate.

Training & development

Working under the guidance of experienced litigators, the graduate solicitor will be expected to take increasing responsibility as they progress and to develop skills in marketing and business development.

AJ Park provides employees access to the AJ Park Academy, a bespoke professional development programme that allows them to train the next generation of patent and trade mark executives. They also offer globally recognised plain English training to their people to help hone clear communication skills.

Benefits

They offer competitive remuneration along with benefits as follows:

• Medical insurance
• Paid parental leave of up to 18 weeks plus 3 weeks' partner leave
• Leave purchase scheme (up to 2 weeks)
• Formal professional development programs
• Structured wellness program, including a paid Wellness Benefit
• Flexible working
• Social club
• Beautiful new offices in the heart of the CBD

Career progression

AJ Park encourages their people to engage in ongoing professional development. An internal seminar programme is held on a weekly basis where all staff can pick up knowledge about IP- or business-related topics and issues. AJ Park’s professional staff also get additional support through the firm’s structured career pathway, giving them the opportunity for internal promotions, lateral pathways, and secondments.

Work-life balance

The well-being of their people is vital, and they encourage a work-life balance. They offer programmes to help their people maintain healthy, balanced lifestyles and their Employee Assistance Programme provides their people support through life's challenges. They have a weekly lunchtime seminar series for all staff to help you develop professionally and personally. They also offer daily fruit and weekly morning teas.

Company culture

AJ Park fosters an environment where approachability is valued, with principals and senior staff maintaining open-door policies and balancing performance expectations with a sense of humour. Employees are encouraged to engage with their communities through volunteering, pro bono work, or sponsorships, aligning with their passions and interests. Additionally, the company promotes a fun workplace culture with an active social club organizing various activities, sports teams, community engagement opportunities, and monthly gatherings to celebrate achievements.

About you

Are you a recent law graduate with a strong interest in litigation and intellectual property? They have a newly created full-time role for a talented, ambitious solicitor looking to take their first step into the world of IP litigation.

How to apply

Please send your CV, with a cover letter and academic transcript attached.

Source

The following sources were used in researching this page:

• ajpark.com/our-firm/
• ajpark.com/our-firm/careers/
• ajpark.com/our-firm/news-and-events/news/aj-park-named-as-a-top-legal-employer-in-new-zealand/