Legal Advisor, Intellectual Property | Standard Bank – Johannesburg, Gauteng

Company: Standard Bank Group
Location: 30 Baker Street, Johannesburg, Gauteng
Job Type: Full-Time
Business Segment: Group Functions
Job Ref ID: 80424827A-0001
Date Posted: 9 May 2025

🧠 About the Role

Are you a seasoned legal professional with a passion for intellectual property (IP) law? Standard Bank, Africa’s leading financial services provider, is seeking a highly experienced Legal Advisor – Intellectual Property to join its Johannesburg-based legal team. In this role, you will play a critical part in safeguarding the bank’s intellectual assets, offering expert legal advice on complex IP matters, and supporting key business units with strategic guidance on trademarks, patents, copyrights, and licensing.

If you thrive in fast-paced, high-stakes environments and are looking for a career-defining opportunity with a leading institution, this is the role for you.

🛡️ Key Responsibilities

• 🧾 Legal Advisory: Provide high-quality legal counsel across the Standard Bank Group on IP law, licensing, infringement risks, brand protection, and litigation.

• 📜 IP Protection: Manage the registration, enforcement, and defense of the Bank’s trademarks, patents, trade secrets, and copyrights.

• 🧠 Strategic Insight: Act as a trusted business partner by aligning IP strategy with commercial objectives and advising on new initiatives, products, and services.

• 🔍 Risk Mitigation: Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks related to intellectual property, including counterfeiting and digital rights management.

• 🤝 Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with legal, compliance, marketing, product, and technology teams to ensure robust IP frameworks are in place.

• 🧾 Contractual Support: Draft, review, and negotiate complex IP-related agreements, including licensing, NDAs, distribution, and joint ventures.

• ⚖️ Dispute Resolution: Oversee and manage IP litigation, enforcement actions, and alternative dispute resolution where required.

🎓 Minimum Qualifications

• 📘 Postgraduate Degree in Law (LLB required)

• ⚖️ Admitted Attorney in South Africa

📅 Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 5–7 years post-admission experience in legal advisory and contract drafting

• At least 6 years in a specialist IP role, either in a law firm or in-house legal department

• Proven experience managing litigation and dispute resolution related to IP rights

• Experience in people management and leading high-performing teams

🧩 Additional Technical Competencies

• Intellectual Property Law & Practice

• Legal Drafting & Contract Negotiation

• Dispute Resolution & Litigation Strategy

• Regulatory Compliance in Financial Services

• Legal Research & Risk Management

• Financial Industry Legal Frameworks

💼 What Standard Bank Offers

• Competitive market-aligned remuneration

• Comprehensive employee wellness and benefits package

• Continuous professional development and legal education support

• Work with cross-functional teams in a leading, innovative environment

• Strategic involvement in high-value legal and commercial matters

🧍‍♀️ Behavioral Attributes

• Strong persuasion and stakeholder engagement skills

• Effective strategy development and execution

• Leadership and people development abilities

• Exceptional attention to detail and documentation

• A solution-oriented and collaborative approach to legal practice

🌍 Equal Opportunity Employer

Standard Bank is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and strive to create a workplace where everyone feels empowered to contribute and grow.

📥 How to Apply

To submit your application, visit the Standard Bank Careers Portal and search for Job Ref ID: 80424827A-0001. Ensure your application includes a detailed CV, proof of qualifications, and admission documentation.

Closing Date: Open until filled – early applications are encouraged.

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Protect the future of financial innovation with your legal expertise — apply now and shape the intellectual property strategy of a leading African bank.

📢 Apply now