Legal Assistant

The role

DLA Piper’s Intellectual Property and Technology (“IPT”) Practice Group encompasses over 550 dedicated lawyers in more than 24 countries, with a particular strength in key global markets. Intellectual property and technology law is at the core of any major business transaction or strategic dispute and has become one of the most critical legal areas. Our group is recognized worldwide by legal directories and industry members as one of the leading groups of its kind, seamlessly combining multi-jurisdictional reach with local knowledge and experience.

As a member of our Shanghai team, you will have the widest platform and a supportive environment to progress your career. We are seeking to recruit a dynamic Legal Assistant-level law practitioner to join us, you will be working across a broad range of complex matters, particular in patent practice. This is your opportunity to support the world’s leading enterprises as companies continue to expand and protect their technologies, brands, products, data and services around the globe. 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• You will deliver exceptional results to clients on a broad range of complex non-contentious and contentious patent matters 
• Act as a point of contact for clients, opposing counsels and other legal teams 
• Assisting clients with ongoing administration and strategies
• Providing direct assistance to Partners and senior lawyers on matters arising in the course of day-to-day to servicing domestic / international clients 

ABOUT YOU
Candidates who have between 1 to 2 years’ experiences are likely to have the right level of knowledge and have gained the right level of experience needed to be able to undertake this role. We are willing to consider candidates with less patent litigation experiences if you have other complementary skillsets or meet the other criteria set out below. 

• Exposure to China patent infringement disputes
• Patent Agent license is required. PRC legal qualification is preferred but not a must
• Experience in working in local jurisdictions. Some cross-border experiences would be a plus
• Native Mandarin speaker with excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken. 
• Ranked top in academic performance from reputable university; undergraduate degree in Engineering, Computer Sciences, Chemistry etc. 
• A highly committed, diligent and initiative team player with passion for the patent law. 
• Commercially astute and stays current on key legal and business news 
• Maintains a controlled, objective and flexible approach under pressure

ABOUT US
DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers and business service professionals located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Our global reach ensures that we can help businesses with their legal needs anywhere in the world. We strive to be the leading global business law firm by delivering quality, service excellence and value to our clients and offering practical and innovative legal solutions to help them succeed. Our clients range from multinational, Global 1000, and Fortune 500 enterprises to emerging companies developing industry-leading technologies, as well as government and public sector bodies.

OUR VALUES
In everything we do connected with our People, our Clients and our Communities, we live by these values:

• Be Supportive – we are compassionate and inclusive, valuing diversity and acting thoughtfully
• Be Collaborative – we are proactive, passionate team players investing in our relationships
• Be Bold – we are fearless and inquisitive, challenging ourselves to think big and find creative new solutions
• Be Exceptional – we are strategic and driven, exceeding standards and expectations

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At DLA Piper, diversity and inclusion underpins how we live our values and everything we do. We believe that everyone has a voice, and that everyone’s voice counts. We know that the rich diversity across our firm makes us stronger, more innovative and creative, which helps us to better serve our clients and communities. We are committed to providing an inclusive working environment and culture across our global firm, where everyone can bring their authentic self to work.
Diversity of perspective, thought, background and culture combine to make us the leading global law firm; that’s why we actively seek to build balanced teams. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

HYBRID WORKING
We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That’s why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

PRE-ENGAGEMENT SCREENING
In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits and where relevant, we will conduct pre-engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability and work-related references.