Senior Counsel, Brand Protection AP

INTRODUCTION

At Burberry, we believe creativity opens spaces. Our purpose is to unlock the power of imagination to push boundaries and open new possibilities for our people, our customers and our communities. This is the core belief that has guided Burberry since it was founded in 1856 and is central to how we operate as a company today.

We aim to provide an environment for creative minds from different backgrounds to thrive, bringing a wide range of skills and experiences to everything we do. As a purposeful, values-driven brand, we are committed to being a force for good in the world as well, creating the next generation of sustainable luxury for customers, driving industry change and championing our communities.

JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Counsel, Brand Protection based in Hong Kong will be responsible for oversight of all anti-counterfeiting, infringement and other IP enforcement matters throughout Asia Pacific (excluding China), tackling IP risk across the region.  The role is responsible for implementing Burberry’s enforcement strategy in the region, managing a small team and collaborating closely with the global brand protection team.  

The position will suit someone who is passionate about intellectual property law and brand protection, and who will utilise their skills to protect our luxury brand positioning.   The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills, and be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a wide audience.  The candidate should have excellent organisational and analytical skills, be a self-starter and manage their time effectively while working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.  The right person will be able to contribute at a strategic level, both in the APAC enforcement program and as part of a global team, while also leading and motivating their direct reports.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee and lead brand protection efforts in the APAC region, acting on a proactive and strategic basis to identify infringers, assess risk, prioritise relevant matters, initiate and respond to potential infringement and counterfeit concerns, while managing external counsel and service providers within allocated budgets.
• Overseeing customs and criminal enforcement activities, in HK directly and across APAC, liaising with law enforcement authorities and external counsel, and providing instructions on existing and new matters;
• Managing all civil enforcement matters in the region, including sending cease and desist letters, negotiating settlements, drafting settlement agreements, and other pre litigation and litigation activities including litigation strategy;
• Managing and engaging in online enforcement, including working with service providers, industry collaborations and liaising and negotiating with online platforms; initiating UDRPs and civil actions as appropriate;
• Providing legal advice relating to and in support of the company’s anti-counterfeiting and brand protection activities, and ensuring compliance with internal policies and protocols;
• Understand the shifting counterfeit marketplace and continue to evolve and implement the enforcement strategy in response to changing business needs, resources and relevant trends; 
• Lead and develop direct reports to maintain high performance in the execution of enforcement activities across the region;
• Partner with business stakeholders, forging collaborative relationships across the business to support implementation of business strategies and manage risk;
• Develop and deliver internal and external training as necessary;
• Work collaboratively with the global brand protection team to enhance efficacy of enforcement efforts and understanding of global IP issues.
• Partnering with relevant industry, peer and enforcement groups - cooperating in enforcement actions and working together to enhance knowledge and strengthen collaboration with authorities.

PERSONAL PROFILE

• Ideally a qualified lawyer having experience with a reputable law firm and corporate in-house work, with primary emphasis on intellectual property and/or anti-counterfeiting.
• Experience with litigation, managing evidence, and negotiation skills.
• Thoughtful, proactive, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while being a team player, and bringing a positive and pro-active attitude to the workplace.
• Strong leadership skills and an open and caring attitude.
• Solid organizational skills and ability to juggle multiple tasks.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS

FOOTER

Burberry is an Equal Opportunities Employer and as such, treats all applications equally and recruits purely on the basis of skills and experience.

Posting Notes: Hong Kong S.A.R, China || Not Applicable || Hong Kong || CORPORATE AFFAIRS || SAP - BRAND PROTECTION || n/a ||