Intellectual Property Business Development Specialist

About Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a preeminent, full-service law firm with offices around the world and a staff as diverse as the practice areas we support. Our clients range from Fortune 100 companies to medium and small corporations, financial institutions, and private equity firms.  Known for our commitment to excellence, Kirkland strives to provide superior service to our clients as well as our fellow employees. From Information Technology to Human Resources, Paralegal Services to Business Development, Kirkland offers non-attorney professionals challenging careers in a variety of functional areas. Whether starting or growing your career, Kirkland can offer a performance-driven culture filled with bright and innovative teams of co-workers.

Essential Job Functions

As the Intellectual Property (IP) Business Development (BD) Specialist, you will support the marketing and business development efforts of the Firm’s IP attorneys as part of the BD/marketing team. This role will support both IP Litigation and Technology & IP Transactions (TIPT) practices, with a primary focus on the former. In addition, this role will provide some support to the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy practice, a cross-practice group of approximately 50 attorneys.

You will be responsible for a variety of functions, including drafting and editing client presentations and proposals, organizing and managing events, contact relationship management (CRM), branding, business/relationship intelligence, and internal communications. In partnership with the IP Practice Intelligence Specialist, you will work to enhance the Firm’s experience database with company, industry and client data that is used in a variety of marketing initiatives, such as business pitches, client presentations and web presence. Understanding the elements of IP litigation is an advantage, but more importantly you will need to be able to think critically, analyze data effectively and convey complex information clearly.

Kirkland’s IP Group includes approximately 300 attorneys who handle complex IP litigation, transactions and counseling matters. You will work primarily with the approximately 220 IP litigation attorneys located across the U.S. and in London, who represent clients in complex patent, trademark, copyright, trade secrets and advertising litigation.

This position reports directly to the IP BD Director in Chicago, and works in tandem with three additional team members. You will also communicate and collaborate regularly with a team of more than 135 diverse problem-solvers and advisers dedicated to the broader BD, marketing and communications efforts of the Firm. Our international BD team provides seamless service to our attorneys with a focus on quality, innovation and responsiveness. In short, we are looking for a self-starter, with good judgment and an interest in a professional services career.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate high-quality in-person and virtual events and speaking engagements for groups of various sizes, including providing on-the-ground support, leading speaker and attendee preparation and supporting follow-up with generated leads, as well as tracking ROI.
• Work with IP Business Development colleagues and partners to develop and maintain concise, compelling IP collateral and ensure its accuracy. Materials include practice descriptions, brochures, PowerPoint templates, case summaries, accolade summaries and attorney biographies. Also assist with the production of Kirkland publications, authored by IP attorneys.
• Collaborate with the Global BD team to help align business strategy and cross-collaboration efforts.
• Update data in the Firm’s marketing contact relationship management (CRM) database, including the review and creation of mailing lists used for direct mail campaigns.
• Produce client-facing proposal materials, responses to RFPs and client presentations, including proofreading, formatting (must have exceptional PowerPoint skills), editing and delivery.
• Research and prepare intelligence reports on clients, potential clients, competitors and industries of interest to the IP practice.
• Assist with survey responses and award submissions for the IP practice.
• Assist the Practice Intelligence group with collecting IP litigation case experience to record in our case tracking database.
• Assist the IP practice group leaders and other collaborators with various strategic initiatives and other tasks, such as developing an IP dashboard with statistics and information on the practice.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

• A four-year degree is required.
• 5+ years of business development and marketing experience gained within professional services, with a preference for experience working with an AmLaw 100 law firm.
• An understanding of complex IP litigation is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills, with meticulous attention to detail and ability to multitask and set, communicate, and meet deadlines.

Technologies/Software

• Microsoft Office software proficiency and extensive experience in PowerPoint, Word, and Excel are required.
• Experience with various market intelligence, docketing and research platforms such as Lex Machina, Docket Navigator, Monitor Suite, Westlaw and PACER is preferred.
• Experience with InterAction or an equivalent contact relationship management (CRM) system is a plus.

Work Environment

• This role requires interaction with attorneys and administrative personnel on a regular basis, as well as communicating deal information to various groups within the Business Development Department. The successful candidate will possess outstanding proofreading and communication (oral and written) skills, and the ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced environment with meticulous attention to detail and a professional demeanor.
• Overtime work will be required on occasion.
• Some travel will be required on occasion.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP.  To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Closing Statement

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