Intellectual Property (IP)/ Technology Associate

ABOUT THE COMPANY

We provide experienced corporate and commercial legal support and authentic, knowledge-based and cost-effective legal services for clients looking to do business in key markets across Africa. Our Africa practice brings together the resources and expertise of leading business law firms across the continent that have direct experience acting for governments, state agencies and multinational organisations. This combined experience across the continent produces an extensive African capability. We also partner with other professional disciplines such as audit, business consulting and corporate finance to provide a seamless and integrated solution for projects that have a multi-disciplinary dimension.



Our Nairobi office, Kieti Law LLP is a leading law firm

Our Kenyan law firm provides personalised legal services of the highest quality in key specialist areas of practice.

JOB SUMMARY

Qualifications and ExperienceAdmission to the Roll of advocates in Kenya with 2 to 5 years post admission experience in a busy law firm in Kenya.Admitted to practice as a patent agent by the Kenya Industrial Property Institute.An active practicing certificate by the Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Industrial Property Institute.Experience/ training in data protection and privacy law.Knowledge, skills, and abilitiesAttention to detail.Proficiency with MS Office package including MS PowerPoint, MS Word, MS Excel and MS Teams at an intermediate level.Excellent verbal and written communication skills.Self-starter with ambition, adaptability, and resilience.Ability to deliver within set deadlines.Proactive – takes initiative.Good work ethic.Excellent problem-solving skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1.Legal services and support to clientsCarrying out IP availability searches and advising clients on the availability and registrability of proposed IP.Prosecuting applications for registration of client's intellectual property assets, at appropriate registries in Kenya, Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).Supporting and coordinating patent drafting work for various clients.Drafting, reviewing and offering advice to clients on the development, licensing, assignment and exploitation of various types of IP assets.Offering advice to clients on IP rights infringement.Preparing pleadings, prosecuting and appearing in formal hearings in relation to trademark opposition, expungement or infringement proceedings and patent, utility model and industrial design infringement or revocation proceedings before the Registrar of Trademarks, Industrial Property Tribunal or the High Court as the case may be.Advising and representing clients in relation to the enforcement of their IP rights against counterfeit products from third parties at the Anti-counterfeit Authority and in the High Court.Attending to the recordal of IP rights with the Anti-counterfeit Authority.Advising and assisting clients with domain name "rescue" against malicious practices such as cybersquatting and typo squatting.Advising and supporting clients on the implementation of Data Protection Act 2019 and the regulations thereof.Drafting, reviewing and offering advice to clients on data protection documentation such as privacy notices, privacy policies, retention schedules and data processing agreements.Conducting data protection impact assessments and legal compliance audits and reporting on the same.Conducting data protection law training for clientsAdvising clients on regulatory issues within the telecommunications sector.Drafting and reviewing various agreements in relation to the telecommunications sector.2.Financial and Practice ManagementActively tracking and meeting of monthly budget as set by team leader.Achieving the set billable hours.Ensuring daily recording of billable and unbillable time.Ensuring narrations are detailed and appropriate with respect to billing and invoicing of clients.Complying with billing requirements including following up on invoices and debtors.Maintaining an efficient diary management system thereby ensuring timeous attention to matters and effective reporting to clients and team leader.3.Client ManagementAttending consultations with clients and with team leader.Agreeing on deadlines with team leader and/or client (where relevant) and ensuring deadlines are met and expectations are managed by reporting progress to team leader and client.Consistently delivering high quality work products in keeping with the standards set by the firm.Establishing strong relationships with existing clients by delivering on expectations and anticipating their immediate and future needs.4. Profile BuildingActively promote the profile of the firm by participation in internal and external activities such as conferences, seminars, and other industry events.Writing of articles for internal and external publication under the guidance of the team leader.Actively participate in the integration and induction of juniors into practice areas by being available to answer queries or provide guidance on team practices and processes.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Commercial law, Policy drafting and development, Contractual negotiations, Legal analysis, Contract drafting and preparation

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree