Trainee Solicitor

Job title:                     Trainee Solicitor          

Location:                    London           

Hours:                        Full-time

Wage:                         £35,000 per annum

Work Pattern:             Monday – Friday

Employer:                  Bray & Krais Solicitors

Duration:                   18 months

Date advert posted:    17 November 2016

Closing date:             15 December 2016

Job Description – Key responsibilities

The Trainee Solicitor will be offered real responsibility and the opportunity to gain experience in major practice areas of the firm (Corporate, Commercial, IP, and Employment) from a music and entertainment perspective. Successful applicants would undertake their training on a non-rotational system, meaning that trainees would not be allocated into specific seats for the length of their training. In particular, the Trainee Solicitor will undertake the following tasks:

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating all forms of entertainment industry-related contracts, including recording, publishing, producer and live agreements and other legal documents
• Drawing up short form agreements for producers, broadcasts and sync licences
• Coordinating signing and finalisation of agreements
• Undertake fee earning work under supervision on behalf of client in areas of Commercial, Corporate, Intellectual Property, and Employment law
• Maintaining relationships with clients and answering their queries
• Provide legal advice under supervision to musicians, managers, and other professionals in the creative industry
• Maintain frequent and detailed communication to clients, including identifying central issues and explaining them to client for further instructions
• General contracts administration and co-ordination, maintaining proper records
• Ensure compliance with the Solicitors’ Regulatory Authority’s procedures and standards

Required Skills & Experience

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications, skills and prior experience:

• either:

i) minimum of a 2:1 law degree from a reputable university; and/or

ii) minimum of a 2:1 degree from a reputable university and a Graduate Diploma in Law with a reputable provider;

• minimum 9 months of previous paralegal or legal executive experience with an established media & entertainment law firm in London, undertaking various duties including legal research, comparing offers from different counterparties, recording / publishing / management contract summaries, and organising and archiving records;
• firm understanding of intellectual property law, including copyright and trademarks;
• thorough commercial awareness of the music industry and music recording and publishing rights;
• experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, including intellectual property rights assignments and licences;
• experience in trade mark applications under various jurisdictions, including experience in drafting trade mark specifications;
• significant experience in client communication, including being able to summarise IP-related contracts for the benefit of the client and preparing attendance notes in conference calls and client meetings;
• excellent case management, time management and administrative skills;
• good IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office applications;
• excellent attention to detail under time pressure; and
• excellent communication skills.

Additional desirable/preferable skills:

• previous experience within the wider music industry;
• genuine interest in working in digital media and music;
• experience in other areas of English law (e.g. corporate law);
• ability to speak at least one other language.

To apply: please upload your CV and a cover letter directly through the portal.

Date posted: 17 November 2016 Closing date: 15 December 2016