Senior Commercial Solicitor – China

Premier League China 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.

In your role you will work closely with the Enforcement team across the Premier League London and Singapore Offices, to protect and enforce the Premier League’s intellectual property rights in China, Hong Kong and the wider region, including:

• Working across all elements of the team’s administrative, civil and criminal litigation against those infringing the Premier League’s intellectual property. 
• Liaising closely with local counsel, law enforcement and/or broadcasters across all types of litigation processes.  
• Supporting and advising the Premier League’s Media Department on IP-related matters. 
• Developing relations with relevant government and enforcement authorities at a national and regional level to support the Premier League’s IP-related legal actions.
• Working with the Premier League’s Policy Department to support and drive IP-related policy and communications.
• Assisting with the Premier League’s central anti-counterfeiting programme, including engaging directly with platforms, customs and law enforcement. 
•  Supporting the China Office, where required, with office-wide projects such as relevant events and activations.  

• High quality academic background and robust legal training from a reputable law firm or recognised in-house legal department. 
• Solicitor with 5-8 years post qualification experience (candidates outside this range with the required skills will be considered).
• Experience in litigation, preferably in IP enforcement matters.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (in both English and Mandarin), 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.
• Strong commercial awareness with an ability to think strategically and laterally to develop innovative solutions to challenging problems.
• An ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team, with a proactive approach to all tasks and responsibilities.
•  Familiarity with the issues and challenges facing the Premier League, particularly around piracy and media rights.

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 900 million 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.