Job Description
Contract type: Fixed Term – until June 2027.
Reports to: Head of Legal – Enforcement (EMEA)
Location: Premier League Offices, Paddington, W2 1HQ
The Premier League’s Legal Department is looking for an exceptional and experienced solicitor to join its in-house Enforcement team.
The Enforcement team’s core function is protecting and enforcing the Premier League’s global intellectual property rights, particularly in the exclusive audio-visual rights licensed to broadcasters around the world. This includes pursuing civil and criminal litigation against those involved in infringing the Premier League’s intellectual property, policy initiatives to ensure that adequate legislation and tools are available to enable such litigation and educational campaigns to raise awareness of the risks and harms associated with intellectual property theft.
The Enforcement team also manages the Premier League’s trade mark portfolio and central anti-counterfeiting programme, as well as advising the business on various IP-related issues that arise from time to time.
In addition, the Enforcement team works to combat discriminatory and threatening online abuse aimed at Premier League players, managers and others within the game. This includes legal actions against those identified as responsible for such abuse.
This is an exciting time to join the organisation and an excellent opportunity for the right candidate.
Who we are
The Premier League is home to some of the most competitive and compelling football in the world. The League and its Clubs use the power and popularity of the competition to inspire fans, communities and partners in the UK and across the world. The Premier League brings people together from all backgrounds. It is a competition for everyone, everywhere and is available to watch in over 1.2 billion homes in 189 countries.
In addition, the Enforcement team works to combat discriminatory and threatening online abuse aimed at Premier League players, managers and others within the game. This includes legal actions against those identified as responsible for such abuse.
This is an exciting time to join the organisation and an excellent opportunity for the right candidate.
Who we are
The Premier League is home to some of the most competitive and compelling football in the world. The League and its Clubs use the power and popularity of the competition to inspire fans, communities and partners in the UK and across the world. The Premier League brings people together from all backgrounds. It is a competition for everyone, everywhere and is available to watch in over 1.2 billion homes in 189 countries.
We have a wide variety of responsibilities. These include organising the competition and its Handbook as well as managing the centralised broadcast and commercial rights. The work we do in conjunction with the Clubs also goes far beyond the 90 minutes. We support and provide a framework for youth development, we protect the organisation’s intellectual property, support the wider game and community programmes, undertake international development work and liaise with governing bodies and other leagues.
The Premier League is an equal opportunities employer and strives to create an inclusive culture where talent can flourish. We believe in the potential of everyone and open our doors to those who share those values. All appointments will be made based on merit; however, we particularly encourage applications from women, people from minority ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ people and disabled people.
Our hybrid-working model also allows you some variety on your place of work, offering you the chance to work from home on some days each week. Where possible, you will attend the office or site visits in line with our company policy. All staff liaise closely with their line manager to manage their time appropriately and according to their work and team requirements.
The role
You will support the Head of Legal – Enforcement (EMEA) in formulating and implementing enforcement strategies to protect the Premier League’s intellectual property rights across the EMEA region, including:
- Managing administrative, civil and criminal enforcement cases relating to infringements of Premier League intellectual property rights.
- Working closely with local counsel, investigative agencies and law enforcement authorities across a range of enforcement and litigation matters.
- Leading the legal aspects of the team’s targeting process, working closely with the wider Enforcement team to identify and prioritise targets for litigation and enforcement action, and ensuring that cases are progressed from intelligence through to legal action .
- Supporting the Director of Legal – Enforcement in the team’s work to combat discriminatory and threatening online abuse.
- Assisting with the team’s IP-related lobbying efforts and anti-piracy consumer awareness and educational initiatives.
You will be required to work as part of a small team and be expected to oversee a varied caseload. Your work will form part of a broader global strategy and will involve regular liaison with other members of the enforcement team in both the London, Singapore and Beijing Offices.
Requirements for the role
High quality academic background and robust legal training from a reputable law firm or recognised in-house legal department.
Qualified solicitor with approximately 6-8 years’ post qualification experience. Candidates outside this range with the required skills will also be considered.
Demonstrable litigation and case management experience.
A good knowledge and application of Intellectual Property laws, particularly copyright.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal issues and solutions in an articulate, precise and clear manner to individuals from all levels of the business.
An ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team, with a proactive approach to all tasks and responsibilities.
Highly organised and the ability to manage multiple cases/projects.
Outstanding attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
The ability to think laterally and commercially.
Qualified solicitor with approximately 6-8 years’ post qualification experience. Candidates outside this range with the required skills will also be considered.
Demonstrable litigation and case management experience.
A good knowledge and application of Intellectual Property laws, particularly copyright.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal issues and solutions in an articulate, precise and clear manner to individuals from all levels of the business.
An ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team, with a proactive approach to all tasks and responsibilities.
Highly organised and the ability to manage multiple cases/projects.
Outstanding attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
The ability to think laterally and commercially.
About Premier League