Sr IP Counsel

Richemont seeks a Senior IP Counsel in Bellevue, CH, to develop and execute IP strategies, advise Maison teams, and safeguard brand equity across its luxury portfolio.

This position serves as a trusted business partner to several prestigious luxury houses within the group. The role focuses on transforming creative innovation into lasting assets while protecting brand value and supporting sustainable business growth.

Responsibilities

• Deliver strategic legal guidance on intellectual property matters aligned with business goals.
• Advise Maison teams on potential risks and opportunities, providing actionable insights to drive growth.
• Integrate IP considerations into product development and business planning through cross-functional collaboration.
• Create and deliver training sessions to educate internal teams on IP best practices.
• Perform global name clearance searches and prior art reviews for new designs in key markets.
• Manage strategies, filings, and registrations for trademarks, copyrights, and design rights.
• Collaborate with paralegals to streamline trademark and design prosecution processes.
• Draft, review, and advise on various IP agreements, including NDAs, licenses, assignments, and commercial contracts.
• Support negotiations and reviews of agreements with Maison teams.
• Conduct IP clearance reviews for new products to ensure adequate protection.
• Provide IP guidance for all communication materials.
• Manage global contentious IP activities and coordinate with external counsel to protect brand equity and innovations.

Requirements

• Hold a legal degree with a specialization in intellectual property.
• Be admitted to an EU Bar.
• Possess 8-10 years of experience in an international law firm, with litigation expertise.
• Fluency in both French and English, written and spoken.

Nice to have

• Prior in-house legal experience.

What the company offers

• Act as a trusted partner to the luxury houses and the broader group, contributing to sustainable growth and protecting the business.
• Work within an agile, cross-functional team dedicated to operational excellence and diversity.
• Develop expertise in IP law within the luxury sector while upholding high legal and ethical standards.

About the company

Richemont is a global leader in the luxury sector, comprising various houses focused on jewelry, watches, and high-end accessories. Each house maintains a distinct tradition of style, quality, and craftsmanship, while the group fosters innovation and creativity aligned with these values. The company emphasizes the power of diversity in arts, cultures, and human skills, valuing freedom, collegiality, loyalty, solidarity, empathy, curiosity, courage, humility, and integrity. Richemont is also committed to caring for the world.

• Embrace the rich diversity of arts, cultures, and human skills.
• Value freedom, collegiality, loyalty, and solidarity.
• Foster empathy, curiosity, courage, humility, and integrity.
• Commit to caring for the world.