Tech & Media Associate/ Senior Associate (4+PQE) - London

We are seeking an experienced Commercial Tech & Media lawyer (4+PQE) for our expanding team in London. 

About us

CMS is a Future Facing firm with more than 80 offices in over 45 countries and 5,800+ lawyers worldwide. We combine deep local market understanding with a global perspective. We are passionate about building strong relationships with our clients, our people, and the communities we work in.

We take a bold, dynamic, and agile approach to ensure our clients are able to face the future with confidence. We are driven by emerging technologies such as generative AI and readily embrace the possibilities it opens up for developing new and better ways of working.  Our aim is to inspire, impact and support our clients and our people, helping them to maximize their potential and thrive.

About the role

The team advises on a broad range of commercial matters across a number of technology sectors. We focus on work of the highest quality and our clients range from large blue chips to smaller commercial entities working with cutting edge technologies.

On the IP side you will be advising a wide range of clients on commercial agreements relating to the development, protection and exploitation of IP. We advise a number of leading universities and research institutions across the UK, in addition to working with entrepreneurial businesses on high profile projects involving IP, complex licensing and technology transfer agreements. A number of our IP lawyers work closely with clients in the life sciences sector, including advising on pharmaceutical products, medical devices, personalised/stratified medicine projects and eHealth/digital health technologies, and you will have the opportunity to develop a specialism in this area if that is of interest. Other clients include innovative companies working in sectors such as food and drink, consumer products, media, energy, and oil & gas.

On the IT and Telecoms side, the work will involve significant projects and high value transactions such as outsourcing, system development and software contracts for blue chip clients. We advise a wide range of clients from those in the financial and public sectors to innovative technology companies who supply solutions to customers around the world. We are actively involved in new and developing areas such as Fintech, blockchain, robotics and artificial intelligence. If you are interested in IT projects, CMS will provide you with exposure to some of the most significant projects in the UK.

The team also advises a variety of technology clients who process significant amounts of personal data on compliance with privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation. We are actively involved in a variety of GDPR compliance projects.

We have a close knit, friendly team across our offices in London, Bristol, Sheffield, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. We work closely with our colleagues across the UK and internationally so there will be opportunities to get involved in more international projects if that is of interest.

We encourage our team to attend a variety of training, business development and integration events across the UK and also with our global colleagues. 
 The role includes:
- Drafting and negotiating a broad range of commercial contracts such as collaboration, licensing, supply and distribution agreements;
- Involvement in a broad range of commercial, IP, IT and data protection advice;
- Providing efficient professional support for partners and team members; 
- Developing professional relationships with clients;
- Supporting the wider group in developing business; and 
- Involvement in marketing events.  

About you

We will invest in your ongoing training and development to support your professional goals and help you to thrive in your role from day one. Our opportunities are open to all suitably qualified applicants, so to be considered for this role, you must meet the following skills and experience:

- Knowledge of IP, IT, technology and data protection issues in addition to having developed strong general commercial expertise
- Appropriate level of post qualification experience in a City, major regional or leading international firm or industry in-house company,

- To meet the demands of the role we envisage this to be 4 year+ PQE but candidates outside of this may also be considered
- Experience and confidence in dealing directly with clients 
- Excellent drafting skills and the ability to translate legal theory into practical advice
- Excellent analytical skills and experience of running your own files and assisting partners on more complex, higher value deals and transactions

- Due to the role being client facing you will need to have sound judgment and good interpersonal and consultancy skills

What’s in it for you?

We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. To name a few, these include:

•    Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually)
•    Flexible, hybrid working policy
•    Generous bonus scheme
•    Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service)
•    Holiday exchange scheme
•    Private medical insurance
•    Enhanced parental leave
•    Reasonable adjustments and accommodation for disabled talent in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

If you would like to read more information regarding our range of benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.

Equal opportunities

At CMS, we place diversity and inclusion at the centre of our culture and the heart of our organisation. As a firm we recognise, celebrate, and embrace the diverse talent our society has to offer because we know that to solve big problems, we need the best and brightest minds available to us.  In support of this goal, we commit to actively breaking down barriers which stand in the way of those from diverse backgrounds and play our part in levelling the playing field. 
 
As a Future Facing Firm, we strongly believe that a career in law should be open to people from all walks of life, because not only does diversity of thought and experience make our firm a stronger and more sustainable business, but it also makes it a more rewarding place to work.
 
When recruiting, we prioritise attracting talented people and we actively promote a flexible working environment which enables all our team members to thrive. If you see a role you are interested in, but don’t feel you meet 100% of the criteria we encourage you to still consider making an application. We also welcome applications from those who may be looking to return to the workforce after a career break. 
 
We are proud to say our leadership in creating an inclusive working culture has been celebrated and recognised externally, including being listed for a number of years in the Times Top 50 Employers for Women and the Social Mobility Index.
 
We are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer, and we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities, whether visible or invisible. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity throughout our recruitment process and in every element of the employee life cycle. If you require assistance, or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements or adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please contact Becky Lowe at TalentAcquisition@cms-cmno.com who will be happy to support you.

Ready to apply? Here are the next steps.

We look forward to receiving your application online via the CMS careers site. Please contact our Talent Acquisition team if you have any questions. 

Please note that we have a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.

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