Job Description
Description Taylor Wessing Taylor Wessing is a global law firm that serves the world's most innovative people and businesses. Deeply embedded within our sectors, we work closely together with our clients to crack complex problems, enabling ideas and aspirations to thrive. Together we challenge expectation and create extraordinary results. By shaping the conversation in our sectors, we enable our clients to unlock growth, protect innovation and accelerate ambition. With 1000+ lawyers, 300+ partners, 29 offices and 16 jurisdictions we are looking to expand our IP & Media team, with the addition of an Associate (information and media law litigator). Meet the team This is an opportunity to join our highly regarded, friendly, energetic and fast-growing information disputes team, which sits in the firm's IP & Media team. We are a small, dynamic team of 4 core lawyers, sitting within a larger group of 35 lawyers, including 7 partners, 21 lawyers, attorneys, trainees and paralegals. We also work with colleagues across our commercial data protection and investigations and disputes teams. The team advises individual and corporate clients on reputation management, contentious data privacy and cyber issues across a full range of information law areas including defamation, data protection, privacy, confidentiality, cyber security, harassment, blackmail, copyright, malicious falsehood and regulatory issues. Unlike our competitors, we also advise some media publishing defendants (many based in the USA) and international online platform clients. Our diverse range of clients include the firm's tech, online retail and life sciences clients as well as a multitude of high net worth and high-profile individuals. We not only attract the firms existing clients, but we are attracting an ever-growing number of clients from outside the firm which has significantly increased our workload and revenue, hence the need to grow the team You will be working with Niri Shan (Partner) who is ranked in "Band 1" in Chambers & Partners "Defamation/Reputation Management - UK-wide" rankings. Niri was listed in Spear's 'Top 10 Reputation Management Lawyers' for 2019 and won 'Lawyer of the Year - Media, Privacy & Reputation' at the Spear's Wealth Management Awards 2017. Niri is also rated in Legal as a leading individual for Reputation Management and is in the Legal 500 'Hall of Fame' for both reputation management and media and entertainment. You will also be working with Michael Yates (Senior Counsel) who is ranked as "Star Associate" in Chambers & Partners Defamation/Reputation Management: High Net Worth - UK guide. He is "Recommended" in Spears 2021 and has been ranked as both an "Associate to Watch" and a "Next Generation Lawyer" in Chambers and Legal 500. This year he was Highly Commended for Leading Individual Adviser in the Wealth briefing European awards. You will also be working with Adam Rendle, Partner, and Tim Pinto, Senior Counsel, who advise various media defendants and platforms on defending defamation claims, intermediary liability and online harm issues. Key responsibilities An associate will be involved in a wide range of contentious information law matters, including reputation management cases, data litigation and disputes and cyber breaches acting for both claimants (individuals and companies) and defendants. Day to day activities will include Taking instructions from clients and assimilating and understanding detailed information quickly, often under pressure, in order to construct and assert persuasive arguments; Advising on a full range of information law issues; Critically analysing and articulating the best options available to meet a client's objectives; Engaging with publishers and broadcasters pre and post publication and broadcast; Drafting legal correspondence, persuasively asserting a client's rights; Drafting clear and accurate legal advice for clients; Undertaking information law litigation and preparing and drafting court documents, witness statements, undertakings, attending court hearings, liaising with Counsel etc.; Undertaking urgent litigation work at short notice, such as making an application for an interim injunction or reporting restriction applications; Running with multiple matters at a time; and Working with other lawyers in the firm across different departments and sectors. The role involves a high level of client contact and the associate will conduct client meetings independently as well as under supervision. The associate will be expected to develop their own professional relationships with clients. The associate will also support the team with business development opportunities and activities, as well as legal know how and updating the team on relevant case law/developments Knowledge, skills and experience Candidates must be a UK qualified solicitor, with 2-4 years PQE and preferably with the following experience: A demonstrable enthusiasm for information and media law. Experience of advising on defamation, malicious falsehood privacy, confidentiality, data protection, harassment and regulatory issues (IPSO and OFCOM) as well as intermediary liability issues. A good level of previous client contact and of taking responsibility for client files. Experience of handling pre and post-publication and litigation matters. Self-motivated coupled with the ability to work effectively with other team members. Very strong academics and technical ability. Accurate drafting skills and letter writing. Well organised and able to manage workload in face of many competing demands on time. A commercial focus, sound judgment, confident communication and business development skills Our Values We have built a team that reflects the firm's core values and which exemplifies inclusivity - everyone is welcome to Please follow the link below to view the full job specification. for our roles and at Taylor Wessing, no one will receive less favourable treatment because of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, age, marital status, background, pregnancy or caring responsibilities. The way we work At Taylor Wessing, we never settle for average. We're creative thinkers, problem solvers and continuous learners who excel at what we do and believe our best work is still ahead of us.We are a firm that's large enough for you to achieve your ambitions, but connected enough to be a true community.