Senior Associate Attorney

Senior Trademark Associate | Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

A well-established, IP-only boutique with offices across the US is looking for a senior trademark attorney to join its Chicago team. The firm handles the full spread of intellectual property work, from prosecution and portfolio management through licensing and litigation, for a sophisticated mix of domestic and international clients. The trademark group is growing, and this hire is meant to carry real weight within it.

The Role

This is a hands-on senior seat, not a support role. You’ll run a varied portfolio of domestic and international trademark matters, from the first clearance call through prosecution, enforcement and, where it gets that far, TTAB or federal court. The work goes beyond pure trademark: you’ll also handle copyright filings and advice, and draft and negotiate the commercial agreements that sit around a brand. You’ll work directly with partners and own client relationships, so this suits someone who wants to be trusted with matters end to end rather than handed pieces of them.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse portfolio of domestic and international trademark matters covering clearance, prosecution and enforcement
• Build and execute prosecution strategy, including overcoming likelihood-of-confusion and other refusals
• Run trademark clearance searches and deliver practical risk assessments
• Assess copyrightability, prepare and prosecute copyright applications, and advise on copyright issues
• Advise clients on brand launches, enforcement strategy, coexistence and settlement negotiations, and related commercial questions
• Draft and advise on IP-related commercial agreements, including NDAs, joint development agreements, influencer agreements and licenses
• Handle enforcement from cease-and-desist strategy through TTAB proceedings and, where appropriate, federal court
• Work with foreign counsel on cross-border filing, strategy and enforcement
• Mentor associates and paralegals and contribute to the running of the practice group

Your Future at the Firm

The trademark practice is expanding, and the role is built for someone who wants to grow with it rather than sit in a fixed lane. Because the firm does nothing but IP, you’ll be surrounded by specialists across patent, copyright, licensing and litigation, which makes it a strong platform for building a broad brand-protection practice. Close partner contact and a mentoring remit mean you’ll be developing your own profile inside the group, not just billing hours for it.

Who You Are

You’re a trademark lawyer who likes the variety: a prosecution strategy one morning, a coexistence negotiation that afternoon, a license draft the next day. You manage matters proactively without waiting to be chased, write clearly, and give clients advice that makes commercial sense rather than just legal sense. You work well with others and enjoy finding creative routes through awkward problems.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of substantive trademark experience at a law firm or in-house
• Strong prosecution and enforcement background, including TTAB and/or federal court experience
• Experience managing international trademark portfolios and coordinating with foreign associates
• Excellent writing and client communication skills, with a practical, business-minded approach
• Self-motivated and proactive in managing your own matters
• Collaborative working style
• Admission to the Illinois bar in good standing, or eligibility to waive in

Preferred Experience

• Copyright prosecution and advisory work
• IP transactional experience (licensing, NDAs, joint development and similar agreements)

Compensation

$200,000 to $250,000 base, depending on experience, plus bonus eligibility. Hybrid schedule with two days a week in the Chicago office. Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage, a retirement plan with firm match, firm-paid disability and life insurance, a health reimbursement arrangement with firm contribution, flexible spending and commuter benefits, flexible hours, paid leave and an employee assistance program.

Apply now to be considered for this opportunity.