Job Description
British American Tobacco’s patents team has never been busier and is currently expanding with an exciting and challenging opportunity for Patent Attorneys to join our team, based at either our global headquarters in London or at our R&D facility in Southampton. As a Patent Attorney, you will provide the company with global, business-relevant advice on how best to protect our technical innovations in key markets, as well as advising on issues relating to infringement, validity and licensing. The work of the Patents team spans a wide range of technology areas including electronics and chemical formulations, novel heating technologies and inhaled delivery mechanisms, all in support of our potentially reduced-risk cigarette alternatives including electronic cigarettes, plant biotechnology, high speed manufacturing processes & machinery, and cigarette and filter product technology. This is an outstanding opportunity for the right attorneys to develop their skills in a fast-moving commercial environment.
Duties and Responsibilities
Your main responsibilities in this role include the following:
working alongside R&D teams to identify inventions and develop bespoke filing strategies to optimise patent protection
provision of solution-orientated legal advice on questions relating to patent management, infringement and validity, conflicts and disputes with third parties
instruction of external patent firms on issues relating to filing, prosecution, validity, legal opinions and management of the foreign patent and designs portfolio
provision of advice on the IP content of confidentiality agreements, development agreements, licenses and other contracts
engaging proactively with business teams to ensure that IP issues are identified, understood and dealt with effectively in the best interests of the BAT Group.
Job Requirements
a UK Patent Attorney, a European Patent Attorney, or an equivalent qualified patent practitioner with strong postqualification experience, preferably with some in-house experience; or a part-qualified or recently qualified UK Patent Attorney, European Patent Attorney, or equivalent patent practitioner
the right candidate is more important than the technical area of expertise
ability to provide commercially focused advice and to interact at all levels within the business
ability to translate complex IP issues into easily understandable terms and to communicate these effectively both orally and in writing
excellent interpersonal skills, ability to manage and prioritize own workload.
Job Details
Company/Organization: British American Tobacco - BAT
Vacancy Type: Full-time Job
Job Functions: Legal
Job Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Application Deadline: N/A
