Associate - Publishing

The firm

We are a dynamic, multifaceted law firm that provides a wide range of legal services to a creative and entrepreneurial client base. We partner with the big and the small, from cutting edge startups to global corporations, early-stage entrepreneurs to established industry leaders, and household names to private individuals and their family offices. We are renowned for our sector specialisms which we combine with expertise across all the traditional practice areas to provide our clients with tailored solutions that truly add value.

We offer a collegiate, vibrant and supportive environment, a clear path for career progression and a strong platform from which to learn and grow. We look for high performing, committed and innovative people who aren't afraid to push themselves to be the best they can be. We take an active role in helping our people be at the top of their game. We believe our people make us stand out and we empower them to meet their ambitions. We invest time in developing their skills and knowledge and run several development and training programmes throughout the year, as well as encouraging and supporting personal involvement in other areas of expertise.

The Publishing Group

We have been advising clients from across the publishing industry since the very early days of the firm and we are recognised as one of the leading firms in this space, having maintained Tier 1 status in legal directories for many years. We are known for our high-quality legal advice, industry expertise and ability to identify and interpret market trends quickly and effectively.

Our clients span the full spectrum of the industry and include multi-national publishers, smaller independent publishers, authors, literary agents, professional, learned and society publishers, rights acquisition businesses, digital platforms, distribution businesses, industry trade bodies and leading industry figures.

We advise on the full suite of publishing contracts, such as author/publisher agreements, ghost writing agreements, literary agency agreements, journal publishing agreements, option agreements, and distribution and licensing agreements, for both trade and academic publishing, and across digital, print, audio and cross-media formats.

We have extensive experience on the sale and acquisition of literary rights and estates, working closely with our Corporate and Private Client teams to review the copyright chain of title and undertake commercial due diligence, and to draft transaction documents (including warranties, indemnities and ancillary documents).

We also advise on cutting edge issue affecting our clients. Most recently we have advised clients on AI related issues - particularly on the intersection between AI and copyright, and the relationship between contractual provisions and AI. We have assisted clients responding to the UK Government's recent Consultation on AI and Copyright, and on the compatibility of the proposed text and data mining exception with the Berne Convention.

We work collaboratively with our IP team, advising on developments in copyright law which touch on the publishing industry and literary and artistic works - such as the protection of characters, joint authorship, open access, and the dividing line between ideas and expression. Where publishing related disputes arise, we also work closely with our IP and Commercial Litigation teams.

Our wider expertise throughout the media and entertainment industries allows us to support and advise on cross-media projects, helping to bridge the gap between publishing and TV, film, theatre, interactive entertainment, music, content creation and other entertainment businesses. For example, we have recently advised on book to film options and projects involving the development of video games based on book properties.

Our lawyers are avid followers of the industry, regularly attending industry events such as The London Book Fair, and delivering presentations on current topics of interest. We have a cross departmental Publishing Group which meets regularly, to share knowledge and cross selling opportunities.

The role

We are seeking a confident and personable associate of 3 to 5 years PQE to join our Publishing Group.

The focus of the role will be on drafting and negotiating contracts and advising on a range of commercial and IP matters relevant to the sector. The successful candidate must, first and foremost, have a strong grounding in contract drafting and negotiation, with a high attention to detail, and technical knowledge of copyright law. Enthusiasm for the publishing industry is also essential.

Familiarity with some or all of the following areas would be considered an additional strength, but are not pre-requisites: a broad understanding of how the publishing industry works and how books are developed, published and commercially exploited (including ; publishing rights and royalty structures); an understanding of the basics of other intellectual property rights and hot topics issues affecting the industry (such as AI).

The role will involve working with a broad range of clients, including publishers, authors, literary agents, rights owners and industry bodies.

The role will provide opportunities for business development to help continue to grow our leading Publishing practice. The successful candidate should be willing to get involved in this.

Responsibilities

We are seeking the right person to provide excellent quality legal advice delivered in a pragmatic and commercial manner, free from jargon. It is key that we find a team player who is prepared to undertake both tasks that stretch the candidate and tasks that are less demanding but nevertheless important to getting the job done. The role will involve working directly with partners and with other lawyers in the Publishing and IP Group.

In addition, the successful candidate must:

- be at ease with digital technology.

- be able to manage multiple matters and prioritise and organise their workload accordingly.

- communicate effectively and explain complex legal issues in a clear and simple manner.

- take responsibility for tasks when appropriate but be able to follow direction competently and efficiently.

- be able to think and act independently when required but know when to ask for help and take instructions.

- adapt to a wide variety of tasks, depending on the nature of the matter or size of the team, and be willing to get involved with all aspects of a matter.

- work independently and progress matters without constant supervision.

- "Pitch in" when working on larger matters and cases.

- be confident and sociable when dealing directly with clients and colleagues.

- buy in to the firm's culture and values.

Private practice and in-house lawyers with the requisite interests and experience should apply.