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Rutherford

Associate, Patents - Leading International Law Firm (1-3 PQE)

London
Posted about 13 hours ago
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Our Client

Our client is a leading International law firm who is seeking to hire into its highly regarded Intellectual Property team, with a focus on Patent Litigation. The group advises global technology, telecommunications, pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and engineering businesses on complex patent disputes across the UK and internationally.

Opportunity

This is an opportunity to work closely with market-leading partners and associates on high-profile patent litigation and cross-border disputes, with exposure to proceedings before the UK Patents Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Unified Patent Court (UPC).

Work Highlights

The practice advises an impressive client base of global technology companies, telecommunications businesses, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical device manufacturers and other innovation-led organisations.

Lawyers in the team advise across a broad range of patent matters, including:

  • High-value patent infringement and validity disputes
  • Unified Patent Court (UPC) litigation, including infringement and validity proceedings
  • Cross-border patent disputes and global litigation strategy
  • Revocation actions and preliminary injunctions
  • Licensing disputes and freedom-to-operate advice
  • SPC and pharmaceutical patent matters
  • Expert evidence and technically complex patent arguments
  • Remedies and enforcement strategy

Reasons to use Rodeo

I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?

Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.

Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.

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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.

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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme

PwC·London, UK
£35,000/yr

Why you're a good match

Strong

Your economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.

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It searches the market for you

Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.

Why you're a good match

You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.

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Strong

Experience fit

Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.

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Strong

Only hits

No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.

The team regularly works on technically complex cases across life sciences, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, electronics, software, medical devices and engineering.

Candidate Profile

  • 1–3 PQE England & Wales qualified solicitor with experience gained within a leading City, IP specialist or international law firm in London
  • Experience in patents/patent litigation or a strong contentious IP practice
  • Strong academics and an ability to engage with complex technical subject matter
  • Experience or interest across technology, telecommunications, life sciences or pharmaceutical patent disputes
  • Commercially minded and comfortable working on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters
  • Keen to take on early responsibility and work closely with partners and clients

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This is an excellent opportunity to join a leading international patent litigation practice with a strong reputation for high-value, technically complex disputes. Associates benefit from early responsibility, close partner contact, advocacy exposure and involvement in significant multi-jurisdictional matters.

About Rutherford

Rutherford is a leading legal recruiter that also works closely with tier one sponsors, buyside firms and investment banks for in-house roles. Please get in contact if you would like to be alerted to the most exciting Counsel opportunities.

To find more of our jobs please visit our website: https://www.rutherfordsearch.com/jobs

Job Reference: NWC3319

Keywords: Patents, Patent Litigation, Intellectual Property, UPC, Life Sciences, Technology, Telecommunications, Cross-Border IP, London, International Law Firm, 1–3 PQE, Patents Court

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Location

London, England, United Kingdom

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