Associate

Duties and responsibilities

• Perform routine legal functions under minimal supervision
• Prepare Patent applications before the agreed/laid down deadlines locally and internationally
• Ensure that interpretations are done against statutory principles
• Complete documents accurately and in accordance with procedure
• Prepare and draft correspondence including responses to client enquiries, routine correspondence, accounting enquiries in accordance with client standing instructions
• Deal with incoming correspondence and enquiries regarding pending matters
• Knowledge/understanding of Patents law – must be able to review legislation and make decisions / recommendations to clients
• Deal with urgent matters and client specific requests
• Review and respond to incoming correspondence
• Prepare reports of a general nature
• Ensure that invoices are created according to work done and in accordance with special administrative arrangements / requirements
• Ensure that work is done accurately and calculated in line with quotations, schedules as well as Adams & Adams rules and regulations
• Ensure that all queries relating to invoices, in patent administration are handled within agreed or implied time frames
• Maintain healthy customer and stakeholders relations
• Diarise files in line with procedures
• Ensure that all relevant documents are attached to the right file
• Maintain confidentiality of documents at all times
• Draw files on time
• Run a diary

Skills and knowledge

• Must have a legal background (5-10 years in the legal profession would be a distinct advantage)
• Must be able to write legally sound letters of a high quality
• Ability to think critically and logically
• Ability to work in a highly professional and organized manner with little supervision / management

Qualification/s

• Matric or equivalent qualification
• LLB degree
• Admitted attorney
• 5-10 years’ post articles experience
• Experience working on Patricia and CMS will be advantageous