Legal Associate

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment

About the role

We are currently looking for a Legal Associate for our Irish offices.

Key responsibilities

• Reporting to the Group Head of Intellectual Property, the IP Legal Associate will have responsibilities over the Group’s IP Portfolio that will include:
• Procure IP rights globally by filing and prosecuting trademark, patent, design, domain name applications, registrations, etc
• Supporting inventors and business unit to ensure IP-related needs (e.g., patent & trademark application and prosecution activities, protection of trade secrets, support of freedom-to-practice activities, proactive IP space mapping for determination of strategic opportunities) are being fulfilled.
• Identifying and documenting valuable IP created and working with stakeholders to determine protection strategies
• Provide strategic analysis in terms of the validity of IP rights across regions
• Proficient in drafting IP related agreements such as non-disclosure, licenses, assignments, product development agreements, collaboration agreements, Research & Development agreements, and other agreements involving the use, transfer, or ownership of intellectual property.
• Assess and advise on IP risks and opportunities in complex transactions.
• Establish IP knowledge sharing across teams and business units, such as training for internal stakeholders on IP and related legal matters.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor’s degree in law (essential)
• IP masters (essential)
• Admission to practice before a Trademark and / or Patent Office (preferably)
• 5+ years of legal experience as an IP attorney, including experience with counselling clients / Business Units on business aspects of IP matters.
• Highly knowledgeable on legal aspects of IP (including knowledge of the role of an IP strategy in life cycle management).
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to simplify complex information.
• Analytical thinker with strong conceptual and research skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to approach IP creation and protection with a strategic mindset by anticipating future business, competitive and legal risks, and opportunities and offering creative solutions.
• Experience in drafting and negotiating IP terms in business transactions.
• Ability to manage outside counsel and other external resources for quality work product, value, and efficiency.