Intellectual Property Associate Attorney (Trademark & Brand Protection)

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Counsel is seeking a mid-level Intellectual Property Associate to join a highly regarded Intellectual Property practice in Los Angeles. This is an exceptional opportunity for an attorney looking to build long-term client relationships while advising companies across a diverse range of industries, including entertainment, consumer products, beauty, food and beverage, fashion, media, software, and emerging technologies.

The ideal candidate will have substantial trademark prosecution, brand protection, enforcement, and counseling experience, along with exposure to commercial and intellectual property transactions.

ResponsibilitiesTrademark Prosecution & Brand Protection

• Conduct trademark clearance searches and availability analyses
• Prepare and file trademark applications with the USPTO
• Draft responses to Office Actions
• Manage domestic and international trademark portfolios
• Coordinate global trademark prosecution with foreign counsel
• Advise clients on brand selection, trademark strategy, and portfolio development

Intellectual Property Enforcement

• Draft and respond to cease-and-desist letters
• Handle trademark, copyright, NIL, and publicity rights disputes
• Manage TTAB proceedings, including oppositions and cancellations
• Conduct brand enforcement audits and marketplace monitoring
• Develop online enforcement and takedown strategies
• Support intellectual property litigation matters alongside litigation teams

Counseling & Strategic Advice

• Advise clients on:
  • Trademark matters
  • Copyright issues
  • Trade dress protection
  • NIL and publicity rights
  • Brand protection strategies
• Review advertising, packaging, and promotional materials for trademark and FTC compliance
• Counsel clients on co-branding, licensing, and brand usage programs

Commercial & IP Transactions

• Draft and negotiate:
  • Trademark license agreements
  • Collaboration agreements
  • Coexistence agreements
  • Manufacturing agreements
  • Distribution agreements
  • Vendor agreements
  • Work-for-hire agreements
  • Creator and independent contractor agreements
  • Endorsement agreements
• Support intellectual property diligence in M&A and investment transactions
• Advise on IP provisions in commercial agreements

QualificationsRequired

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Active California Bar admission
• 3–5 years of trademark experience at a law firm
• Experience with:
  • Trademark prosecution
  • Trademark enforcement
  • Trademark counseling
  • Brand protection strategies
• Experience preparing and filing USPTO trademark applications
• Experience drafting Office Action responses
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial and IP-related agreements
• Working knowledge of domestic and international trademark prosecution
• Strong legal writing, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to independently manage multiple client matters and deadlines
• Strong academic credentials

Preferred

• Experience with online marketplace enforcement and takedown programs
• UDRP and domain name dispute experience
• Experience with IP licensing and commercial transactions
• M&A intellectual property diligence experience
• Experience with SaaS agreements and technology transactions
• Copyright registration and counseling experience
• Industry experience involving consumer products, media, beauty, fashion, or food and beverage companies

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $250,000 – $280,000
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Generous paid time off and parental leave
• Employee assistance and wellness programs
• On-site fitness and wellness resources
• Professional development and business development support
• Mentorship and associate training programs

Why This Opportunity

• Direct client contact and meaningful responsibility from day one
• Work with sophisticated brands and businesses across diverse industries
• Formal associate mentoring and professional development programs
• Exposure to both counseling and transactional intellectual property work
• Strong firm culture emphasizing collaboration, wellness, philanthropy, and professional growth
• Opportunity to build long-term client relationships and develop a specialized intellectual property practice

Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier law firms and fostering inclusive hiring practices.