Associate Attorney

Description

Summary: Provides substantive legal support to the Firm in two primary areas: software copyright enforcement and conflicts-of-interest management. This role supports the software copyright enforcement practice, while also supporting the Firm’s compliance with ethical and professional responsibility requirements related to conflicts of interest. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

General Legal Support

• Review and analyze newly assigned and existing matters, to help ensure effective legal representation from initiation to conclusion.
• Conduct thorough legal research, as needed, using all available resources, including legal databases and libraries.
• Draft, review, and finalize legal documents in accordance with established Firm procedures.
• Assist with special projects as needed.

Software Copyright Enforcement and Practice Support 

• Help protect clients’ software and digital product intellectual property rights. 
• Support the software copyright enforcement practice group on matters involving software copyright law, enforcement, and related intellectual property issues. 
• Assist with preparation, review, and organization of settlement negotiations, dispute resolution, including drafting settlement agreements and related documents.
• Develop knowledge of software copyright enforcement and related intellectual property matters; prior intellectual property experience is not required. 

Conflicts Counsel

• Help ensure the Firm’s conflicts of interest protocol is executed efficiently and adheres to applicable Rules of Professional Conduct, Firm policies, and client obligations. 
• Evaluate, identify, and manage conflicts of interest to protect clients and the Firm, maintain confidentiality, and uphold professional ethics.
• Support the Firm’s conflicts-of-interest function, including reviewing and analyzing potential conflicts and providing guidance regarding conflict issues. 
• Collaborate with Firm leadership, attorney teams, and administrative departments to properly address conflict related matters, including determining appropriate ethical screens and other conflict management measures where appropriate.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to the MI State Bar.
• Prior intellectual property or copyright experience is not required. Candidates with broader legal experience and an interest in developing experience in software copyright enforcement and conflicts-of-interest matters are encouraged to apply.
• Some law firm experience, including internships, clerkships, or associate-level practice preferred.
• Proven legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as an ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and/or related software, and the ability to effectively utilize various databases and applications that are used within the Firm.