Associate | Intellectual Property

Location: Melbourne

Contract Type: Permanent

MinterEllison is one of Australia’s largest independent law and consulting firms. With a heritage of almost 200 years, we are known for our excellence, and our authentic and enduring relationships with our clients, our people and our communities. Clients seek out MinterEllison to help them solve complex problems every day. We do this by our full-service legal offering and complementary consulting offering.

We offer opportunities to work on industry-leading mandates for top-tier clients, while being part of a high-performing and collaborative team that values excellence, diversity of thought, curiosity, and inclusion. We value our people and empower them to achieve their ambitions - with the support, trust and autonomy to grow their careers in meaningful ways.

At MinterEllison, we're leading the way with AI and other emerging technologies, powering innovation right across our firm. You will have the opportunity to engage with AI tools we've built, and other external AI tools, to enhance efficiencies and excellence internally and with our clients.

We support sustainable ways of working regarding how, when and where you work and offer a wide range of social, financial and health benefits (see https://www.minterellison.com/-/media/Minter-Ellison/Files/Careers/MinterEllison-Employee-Benefits-Dec_2025.pdf)

The Team

Our IP lawyers provide sophisticated, practical advice, and pride themselves in successfully handling complex, high-profile and high-stakes IP litigation. We are particularly experienced in working with global legal teams and coordinating litigation strategy across multiple jurisdictions. Our key clients span a wide range of industries and sectors, including pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical devices, IT, energy and resources, consumer products, telco, wagering, creative content, agricultural, and manufacturing.

MinterEllison is proud to have the only fully integrated patent attorney and patent law practice within a full service Australian corporate law firm. Our multidisciplinary team includes lawyers with scientific qualifications, and registered patent and trade mark attorneys.  As a result, we approach litigious and commercial matters with a deep understanding of the technology involved, along with the practical and legal issues that may arise when seeking to protect or challenge the IP rights in that technology.

Your Role

An opportunity currently exists for an experienced IP litigator to join the MinterEllison IP team in Melbourne. In this role you will work closely with partners Jonathan Kelp, Gus Lightowlers, Robert Cooper and Shyama Jayaswal on a broad range of intellectual property and technology matters.

More About You

We welcome applications from experienced lawyers who:

• have at least 3 years’ post‑admission and strong technical expertise in a broad range of IP and technology matters, ideally gained in a recognised Australian or international IP practice, including hands on experience in IP litigation;

• possess excellent plain English drafting skills and the confidence to advise clients on complex legal matters;
• understand the commercial realities that clients face in their day to day operations;

• champion a strong client service mindset, with demonstrated experience building and maintaining trusted client relationships;
• have a sophisticated appreciation of, and practical experience in using, AI tools that meaningfully assist lawyers in their day-to-day work;
• have the ability to work autonomously while thriving in a team based, collaborative environment;
• take pride in their work, their professional reputation, and the firm they represent; and
• are driven, hard-working and take initiative.

How to apply

We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds, genders (including trans or gender diverse), LGBTQ+ people and those with carer responsibilities. We particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

We prefer to connect with people directly, so please submit your CV by clicking on the 'Apply' button. We encourage all applications, including if you do not meet all the criteria listed for the role. Your application will also enable us to consider you for other opportunities that may be available at MinterEllison.

If you are currently a MinterEllison employee, please apply through the internal careers page.

If you would like further information, require any adjustments throughout the recruitment process or for a confidential discussion, please contact Alexandra.Hussain@minterellison.com.