New Job Opening: Intellectual Property Partner / Legal Director in Reading, UK

Job Description

Intellectual Property Partner / Legal Director

Location: Reading Area

Salary: c.£110,000 – £140,000 + Equity/Partner Profit Share & C-Suite Backing

Are you an accomplished IP Partner or Senior Director with an established client following, seeking the strategic authority, autonomy, and firm backing to establish and lead a flagship Intellectual Property practice in Reading and the Thames Valley? Our client is a dynamic, commercially minded law firm expanding its South East presence and known for doing law differently—putting authentic client relationships and cross-departmental collaboration at the heart of its business. Expanding its commercial offering across the Thames Valley's booming tech and life sciences corridor, they are seeking an entrepreneurial IP Partner (8+ PQE) with a portable client base to establish and lead an IP practice serving technology, media, brand, and corporate clients nationwide.

The Opportunity

In this high-profile equity-track position, you will leverage your existing client connections and take lead operational responsibility for establishing and scaling the firm's Reading-based Intellectual Property practice. Supported directly by C-Suite leadership, senior partners, and a dedicated marketing engine, you will deliver contentious and non-contentious IP advice across trade marks, copyright, design rights, patents, and IP litigation. Designed for a commercially sharp specialist with a proven track record of fee generation who wants to escape traditional law firm bureaucracy, this role offers direct strategic influence, a lucrative profit distribution model, and full cross-referral backing across corporate, commercial, and media practice groups.

Key Responsibilities & Requirements

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  Qualifications & Background: Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) or Chartered Trade Mark Attorney (CITMA) with a minimum of 8+ years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) specialising in Intellectual Property law within a recognised UK practice.

  
  


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  Portable Client Following: Demonstrable track record of fee generation and an established, portable client following (technology, media, consumer brands, life sciences, or creators) to anchor and scale the practice (essential).

  
  


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  Contentious & Non-Contentious Technicals: Comprehensive expertise across brand protection strategies, portfolio management, IP enforcement/disputes, copyright, design rights, and trade mark prosecution.

  
  


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  Transactional & Commercial Support: Proven capability to advise on IP dimensions of complex commercial deals, including IP licensing agreements, technology transfers, joint ventures, and M&A due diligence.

  
  


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  Leadership & Strategy: Leadership mindset to build and mentor a team in Reading as the practice scales, while actively collaborating with corporate, commercial, and media groups across the firm's national office network.

  
  

Package & Working Structure

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  Competitive Remuneration: £110,000 – £140,000 base compensation per annum (commensurate with PQE, Thames Valley market standing, and portable following) plus attractive Partner profit share / equity distribution options.

  
  


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  Agile & Hybrid Structure: Modern hybrid working policy based out of Reading—built on trust, allowing you to choose the environment where you work best.

  
  


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  Comprehensive Healthcare & Benefits: Private Medical Insurance (Vitality), Cash Plan (Medicash), salary sacrifice pension scheme (NEST), and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) extended to family members.

  
  


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  Leave & Flexibility: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off (increasing with service), and enhanced wellbeing and family-friendly policies.

  
  


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  Culture & Perks: Direct C-Suite and Senior Partner access from day one, regular CSR events, seasonal celebrations, referral bonuses, free fruit/drinks, and regular team lunches.

  
  

How to Apply

To discuss this opportunity in complete confidence or request a full position profile, please contact David Hawthorne-Finch directly:

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  Email: [email protected]

  
  

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is acting as an employment agency for this vacancy. All applications and enquiries are treated with the strictest confidence, and candidate details are never shared without prior express consent.