Join us as Trademark Associate (Fluent English Speaker)

Function: Legal

Work Level: 1C

Reports to: Senior Trademark Associates

Location: BCN - Viladecans

Unilever is one of the world’s leading fast-moving consumer goods companies with some of the world’s best known and best-loved brands (Dove, Hellmann’s, Horlicks, Axe, Lifebuoy, Knorr, Paula’s Choice, Persil, TRES Emme and Vaseline). Our products are sold in over 190 countries, and, on any given day, 3.4 billion consumers worldwide use them! We are on a mission to accelerate value and growth at Unilever through differentiated science and brands!   Our 30 Power Brands are in front of and center of our Growth Action Plan, as is unmissable brand superiority. Our focus in Legal is on high impact strategic business partnering, leveraging and strengthening our legal expertise and focusing on digital transformation.  We were recently awarded Most Innovative In-House Legal Team in Europe focusing In-House Legal Team.  We are at the forefront of innovation and digitalization with GenAI tools, data and Powerhouses shaping the future of how we work.

The Trade Mark Team is an integral part of the IP function, and provides expert global legal advice, risk management support and creative legal solutions to the business, with a focus on trade mark and copyright law, including searching, clearance, filing, renewals, oppositions, infringement, look-a-like products, unfair competition and passing-off, licensing, assignments, mergers and acquisitions as well as domain name registrations, recoveries and acquisitions.

In 2023, the Unilever Legal team embarked on an ambitious plan to set up Legal Powerhouses in Barcelona, Mexico and Bangalore. We now have around 80 legal team members including a team of around 10 IP Associates based in Bangalore and Barcelona. These teams support our business globally

JOB PURPOSE

This role is to help the business win. We are now looking for an additional IP Associate to join our team in Barcelona. If you are passionate about brands, having fun and you are fluent in English, this is the role for you! Because here, we don’t just hire for jobs. We invite you to be part of something bigger.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Trademark Searches: Conduct trademark screening searches using specialized technology, analyze search results to determine the availability of proposed trademarks and prepare initial advice for the Trademark Counsel. Where required, instruct our network of external law firm(s) to undertake full clearance searches, monitor and collate responses, and prepare draft summary advice for business partners on the availability and registrability of proposed trademarks.
• Trademark Applications: Prepare trademark application instructions to our network of external law firm(s) for the filling and prosecution of trademark filling projects, as well as collating supporting documentation and preparing cost estimates where required.
• Trademark Renewals: Support with our annual trademark renewal cycle, including the gathering of input from our regional legal colleagues and business partners, the preparation of instructions to our network of external law firm(s), as well as collating supporting documentation and preparing cost estimates where required.
• Evidence Collation: Prepare evidence packages of Unilever’s use of our trademarks to support our annual trademark renewal cycle and the preparations of Statements of Use, as well as for trademark prosecution, opposition and cancellation matters.
• Trademark Watching: Conduct trademark watching to identify infringing third party trademark applications and prepare recommendations to the Trademark Counsel. Where required, instruct our network of external law firm(s) to provide legal advice and prepare summary advice for business partners on the availability and registrability of proposed trademarks.
• Trademark Enforcement: Assist with trademark disputes, including undertaking OSIN investigations, drafting pre-action correspondence and settlement agreements.
• Business Partnering: Manage requests from our legal colleagues and business partners for the preparation of authorization letters, trademark portfolio reports, obtaining copies of trademark certificates and other ad-hoc trademark requests.
• Trademark Recordables: Support with the integration and/or divestiture of IP assets resulting from M&A activity, including trademark assignment recordables.
• Knowledge Management: Assist with the management of our trademark precedent bank, updating with new templates, playbooks and other know-how materials.
• Database Management: Assist with the creation and maintenance of matters within our IP case management systems, support with deadline management and prepare audit reports for the (Senior) Trademark Counsel.
• Other Duties: Support the Trademark Counsel with general tasks assigned to meet the requirements of the position, including the preparation of documents for signature and legalization.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Passionate and knowledgeable IP professional with proven experience in trademark portfolio management and conducting trademark clearance searches.
• 3-5 years of experience
• Preferably to be experienced with an in-house legal team in a paralegal or junior lawyer role within the FMCG sector.
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills is needed
• Analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Prioritization, agility, proactivity, growth mindset
• Business Acumen
• Experience working with different people located in different geographic locations/time zones.
• Exceptional computer skills, especially with Microsoft Office & Copilot and standard IP technologies & tools, including case management software and trademark searching and watching platforms.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.