Legal Counsel – Brand Protection

CHANEL is a privately-owned company whose values are grounded in creating the conditions for people to perform at their best, feel fulfilled and confident in their work. We care deeply about our employees and strive to create a safe environment that values people’s humanity and uniqueness so that they are free to bring full selves to work and to their life’s calling.

At CHANEL, being a purposeful and human-driven employer means being intentional, meaningful and caring in inspiring our people; fostering an environment that reflects our strong values; encouraging and enabling inclusion and investing in work and workplace that fosters collaboration and well-being. This is critical for the long-term success of our business.

Job Mission

The Legal Counsel – Brand Protection will support business initiatives in Korea with particular focus on brand protection/anti-counterfeiting/parallel activities. The role will directly report to the Head of Legal Korea, and functionally report to Head of the Head of Brand Protection, North Asia & SEAA.

The mission of this role is to champion strategic planning, innovation and changes by empowering the Legal team to provide expert advice, support and implement brand protection strategies to best serve the business and protect the brand.

The incumbent will be given the opportunity to be part of the journey in elevating the Korea Brand Protection function through the implementation of different initiatives in striving for better brand protection programs against infringements and protecting the Chanel brand.

This role would suit someone who is excited by the opportunity to impact change in an established Legal function and is passionate about changes, brand protection initiatives and what technology can leverage to achieve better results.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting Head of Legal, Korea and Head of Brand Protection, North Asia & SEAA, to execute global/regional/local collective brand protection as well as business priorities
• Strategizing anti-counterfeit/anti-diversion/brand protection programs (raids, litigations, investigations etc.) to protect the company’s brand image and equity
• Keeping up to date with new laws/regulations/policies, brand protection trends/best practices, and developing agile lobbying and counter strategy
• Conducting legal research and analysis on Korean IP laws, case precedents, and regulatory developments to provide legal opinions, advice, and risk assessments on IP infringement matters, enforcement strategies, and brand protection issues
• Negotiating, reviewing, and drafting IP and brand protection contract terms in commercial agreements, including distribution, licensing, and e-commerce arrangements
• Reviewing global IP and brand protection initiatives and projects against Korean laws to ensure legal compliance
• Drafting and issuing cease and desist letters, demand letters, and other formal legal correspondence
• Managing and overseeing IP litigation matters, including instructing, coordinating, and supervising external counsel
• Managing management expectations through supporting key business stakeholders and aligning brand protection efforts with business interests
• Developing working relationships with enforcement authorities, key platforms, internal as well as external stakeholders
• Lobbying government and enforcement authorities to protect the brand’s interests
• Training internal and external stakeholders to build a culture that respects and protects Chanel’s intellectual property rights
• Managing external service providers to implement and execute brand protection work
• Supporting global/regional/local brand protection teams

Academic / Professional Qualifications 

• Qualified lawyer in Korea or another recognized jurisdiction
• Fluent in Korean and English both written/spoken

Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ PQE
• Extensive legal knowledge and experience in all aspects of complex intellectual property prosecution, litigation and enforcement work including anti-counterfeiting strategies and enforcement of intellectual property rights, with a particular focus in the protection of Trademark, Copyright, Anti-Unfair Competition and Design Patents, gained from top international law firms and in the luxury retail industry
• Strong contract experience gained especially from drafting commercial agreements, including distribution, licensing, and e-commerce arrangements

Required Competencies

• Qualified lawyer in Korea or another recognized jurisdiction with outstanding academic achievements from a top university.
• Strong decision-making skill with outstanding abilities in legal drafting, analyzing diverse intelligence, planning and executing complex brand protection & enforcement strategies
• Agile and open-minded to changes in a rapidly evolving legal, business and technological landscape.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Internet savvy, ability to work well in both a team and individually
• Keen business sense, ability to think strategically, results oriented and desire to establish a trusted business relationship with internal and external parties.
• Willingness & flexibility to travel.

Key Interactions

Internal

• Business divisions; regional and global IP/Brand Protection teams

External

• Outside counsel or service providers
• Relevant government and regulatory agencies; enforcement agencies