- Employment
- Full-time
- Seniority
- Senior
- Department
- Legal & Compliance
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Nov 13, 2026
About Chanel
Chanel is one of the world’s most revered luxury houses, founded by Gabrielle Chanel and distinguished by an enduring vision of elegance, freedom, and modernity. As an employer, the House brings together métiers ranging from haute couture, fashion and leather goods to fragrance, beauty, watches, and fine jewelry, offering employees the opportunity to contribute to a legacy defined by exceptional craftsmanship and creative audacity. Chanel values excellence, discretion, collaboration, and long-term development, fostering an environment where talent is nurtured and heritage is continually reinterpreted for contemporary clients. Its teams are united by a commitment to quality, innovation, and the timeless spirit of the brand.
Chanel seeks a Senior Intellectual Property Counsel for its UK Intellectual Property Team in Croydon, with occasional travel to Central London and reporting to the Regional Head of Intellectual Property. The role provides independent, strategic and day-to-day IP support across the UK Region and collaborates with business teams and global IP and legal colleagues; the position is full-time.
Role & Responsibilities
- Contribute to harmonized, ambitious UK regional IP strategies aligned with global priorities, covering the clearance, maintenance, development and enforcement of trade marks, designs, copyright and domain names.
- Independently conduct and analyse trade mark clearance searches and provide clear, concise, solutions-driven advice to the business.
- Create and implement IP registration programmes across the UK Region in line with global IP strategy.
- Monitor and object to third-party applications; prepare and support oppositions by collating evidence and assisting with or drafting affidavits, witness statements, settlement agreements and related documents.
- Handle complex multi-territory trade mark disputes and collaborate with others on them.
- Monitor, conduct and support actions against third-party infringers, including preparing cease and desist letters, undertakings and settlement agreements.
- Assist with preparing instructions to counsel and gathering and presenting evidence in enforcement, litigation or other contexts.
- Review, draft and negotiate IP provisions in commercial agreements and provide clear, concise legal advice and solutions on IP-related contractual issues.
- Conduct IP-related research and prepare and present advice, reports and analysis for key stakeholders.
- Work with the business, primarily in the UK and Ireland, as well as in Canada, South Africa and Australia, providing strategic and day-to-day support.
- Collaborate daily with regional IP teams worldwide, the Global IP team and the wider Legal Team.
- Build relationships at all levels in a collaborative, international and complex environment, and partner within and outside the industry.
- Present IP advice and a point of view to the business commercially, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Build strong business partnerships with local and global teams and third parties, and liaise effectively, calmly and appropriately with internal and external contacts at all levels, locally and internationally.
- Work effectively and efficiently while maintaining confidentiality as appropriate.
Qualifications
- Be a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, UK solicitor or barrister.
- Have private practice experience.
- Understand and appreciate the distinction between in-house and private practice mindsets; relevant in-house IP experience is preferred.
- Be able to build strong business partnerships with local and global teams and third parties.
- Liaise effectively, calmly and appropriately with people at all levels, locally and internationally, and with external contacts.
- Have previous experience with an IPR database such as Diams IQ; experience with Power BI and other legal technology tools is preferred, with other legal tech tools not essential.
- Have excellent spoken and written English.
- Bring curiosity, a commercial mindset and a genuine interest in the retail sector.
- Be energetic, enthusiastic and capable of critical thinking.
- Be organised, methodical and extremely accurate, with meticulous attention to detail.
- Be able to prioritise, meet tight deadlines and manage time efficiently.
- Be able to take the initiative, self-motivate and work autonomously as well as within a team.
- Maintain a professional attitude and be reliable, supportive, pragmatic and adaptable.
- Be motivated by personal and professional development.
Skills
Workplace
This position is based in Croydon, England, UK, within easy reach of London.
Explore jobs in England or in the UK.
Culture
Chanel fosters a culture of timeless creativity, exacting craftsmanship, and quiet excellence, where employees are encouraged to uphold the house’s heritage while contributing to its continued innovation. The workplace environment is refined, collaborative, and deeply committed to quality, offering professionals the opportunity to grow within a globally respected maison that values discretion, artistry, and long-term vision.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.