Legal Advisor (Patent Lawyer)

Based: London or any key site - hybrid working - see our network of 20 offices nationally: 

Role summary

KPMG is now a digital business, and as a result, technology enables everything it does and requires KPMG to continue to transform with technology in support of its Growth and Trust agenda. This role, which is focused on the product and innovation aspects of Intellectual Property (IP), Technology and Data, is a part of the International Office of the General Counsel (IOGC).  It focuses on providing legal advice and support from IOGC on the development, protection, enforcement, acquisition and licensing of technology, software and data, particularly risks, protections and opportunities related to the patent aspects of KPMG’s IP, technology and data strategy.

Although this role is primarily focused on product and innovation, this role may also involve providing support to other IOGC lawyers on strategic initiatives and commercial technology transactions, particularly where the licensed technology is protected by patents, is not patent protected but is in a highly patented field, and/or leverages artificial intelligence and blockchain.

The person in this role will execute their responsibilities under the overall supervision of, and working collaboratively with, the most senior patent lawyer with respect to IP, Technology and Data and other senior lawyers focused on IP and technology law. This role requires a person to provide meaningful value-add to business and technology development teams by supporting product and innovation that contributes to over $17 billion in annual revenue, helping to analyse KPMGI’s intellectual property (IP) and technology assets, and advising on patent protection and IP enforcement, all while supporting IOGC’s senior leadership team in managing, mitigating and preventing legal and reputational risk.

The role is an excellent opportunity for a junior lawyer who has focused on patent work (prosecution, litigation, licensing, freedom to operate) to apply their skills to a rapidly growing international patent pipeline focused on emerging technologies and to expand their IP skillsets beyond patent law in a rapidly growing digital business.  

KPMG has one of the leading Indirect Tax practices in the UK. We work as a national practice providing advice and support in all aspects of Indirect Tax (VAT, Customs Duty, Green taxes) to a broad range of business sectors including large multi-nationals, household name retailers and public sector organisations. The Indirect Tax practice is a fast-growing and dynamic business, currently with 13 partners and approximately 220 professional staff in the UK.

We have a significant growth plan over the next three years and in order to support this we are looking to recruit motivated individuals who are seeking a real challenge, to build on our successes to date and help us achieve our growth targets.

This Manager role is Financial Services focussed. KPMG has one of the largest Financial Services Indirect Tax departments, advising banking, insurance, investment management, asset backed finance, real estate and private equity clients across a broad range of issues.

The Manager will be responsible for ensuring the quality of delivery at this specialist level and will be actively involved in managing the performance of junior colleagues within the team.

The Sales Enablement Lead will bring subject matter expertise in implementing strategies, tools and processes that continually increase the efficiency and effectiveness of sales teams. You will bring significant knowledge on a particular set of process and emerging industry trends/issues to the team to help develop regional sales strategies and win approach for bids. Typically participates on a part-time basis, or full time during various stages of an opportunity pursuit. Equips all client-facing employees with the ability to add value to conversations with customer stakeholders at each stage of sales process

Role summary

KPMG is a digital business, and as a result, technology enables everything it does and requires KPMG to continue to transform with technology in support of its Growth and Trust agenda. This role, which is focused on Intellectual Property (IP), Technology and Data, is an important part of IOGC. It involves the provision of legal advice  to KPMG International leaders and their teams on: (i) complex, strategic technology procurement and supply chain matters, especially technology leveraging data and analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, (ii) strategic alliances and partnering with technology providers, (iii) complex strategic, change management and legal remediation projects, and (iv) the amalgamation of supplier-developed technology and IP into AI-enabled platforms developed and managed by KPMG International. This role also involves driving the development and on-going management of procurement and alliance templates, playbooks, guidance and best practice principles, and developing and providing training to IOGC and procurement professionals on the use of them.   

This role requires a person to influence, collaborate with, and provide significant value-add to business and technology development teams (particularly those in the Global Business Functions, Global Procurement, Global Alliances and Global Technology & Knowledge) by enabling and supporting a diverse range of IP, technology and data matters that support KPMG’s Collective Strategy, the Global Business Functions’ strategic goals, and our “Artificial Intelligence First” mindset, all while supporting IOGC’s senior leadership team in managing, mitigating and preventing legal, commercial and reputational risk.

The person performing this role is expected to drive substantial cost savings by performing complex matters internally without reliance on external counsel.

The person in this role is expected to execute their responsibilities under the overall supervision of the Partner-equivalent co-leads of the IP, Technology and Data group (the Legal Head of IP, Technology and Data and a Principal/Associate General Counsel) or, where delegated by one of them, the most senior Global Director lawyer with respect to the commercial technology transactions, and:

(a)          with a significant degree of autonomy while exercising appropriate judgment on when to consult/escalate; and

KPMG maintains a robust network of strategic Alliances and partnerships with leading technology, data, and services organisation, including Microsoft, SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, and ServiceNow. These Alliances enable KPMG to deliver global reach, enhanced value, and a comprehensive suite of transformational capabilities and solutions to address clients' most critical needs and challenges.

As a member of the EMA Alliances team, the role holder will contribute to the growth objectives of KPMG member firms through effective alliance management of the Oracle Alliance. This includes maintaining consistency and collaboration to position KPMG as the preferred choice for clients and Oracle. The primary focus will be on developing, expanding, and managing the Oracle Alliance within the EMA region, as well as strengthening KPMG's regional relationship with Oracle.

The role holder will also collaborate with the Global Oracle Alliance Director and counterparts in ASPAC and the Americas to ensure the successful implementation of the Global Oracle Strategy across regions and to facilitate network-wide collaboration.

The role will report to our EMA Head of Alliances and EMA Oracle Alliance Platform Lead, with input from Global Oracle Alliance Director.