Celine Intellectual Property Lawyer
- Location
- ParisÎle-de-FranceFrance
- Employment
- Contract
- Seniority
- Mid-Level
- Department
- Legal & Compliance
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Sep 8, 2026
About Celine
Founded in Paris in 1945 by Céline Vipiana, Celine is a storied French luxury house renowned for its modernist elegance, exacting craftsmanship, and quietly powerful vision of contemporary style. As part of LVMH, the Maison offers employees the opportunity to contribute to a global brand while remaining rooted in Parisian heritage, artisanal excellence, and creative discipline. Celine seeks individuals who combine cultural sensitivity, precision, and entrepreneurial spirit across design, merchandising, retail, operations, and corporate functions. The house fosters an environment where talent is expected to uphold exceptional standards, shape refined client experiences, and participate in the continuing evolution of a distinctive luxury identity.
CELINE (LVMH) seeks an Intellectual Property Lawyer in Paris for a 6-month contract role managing IP protection, counterfeiting enforcement, and creative licensing.
Role & Responsibilities
- Manage and maintain the brand portfolio, including trademarks, designs, and domain names in coordination with external IP counsel
- Develop and compile trademark notoriety and proof-of-use documentation
- Coordinate anti-counterfeiting initiatives and assess product authenticity
- Monitor criminal and customs litigation related to brand protection
- Review and validate communications and advertising campaigns for legal compliance
- Draft and manage contracts for photography, videography, modeling, music licensing, and related creative services
- Handle legal aspects of fashion shows and runway events
- Prepare image rights agreements and release forms
- Draft and negotiate contracts involving IP transfers from photographers, videographers, musicians, artists, and other creators
- Manage music production licenses and artwork purchase agreements
- Oversee freelance contracts and collaboration agreements including brand partnerships and licensing arrangements
- Administer talent contracts with models, influencers, and brand ambassadors
- Coordinate with external counsel on case management and litigation matters
- Prepare demand letters and cease-and-desist communications
- Compile evidence for IP enforcement actions
- Provide ongoing legal guidance and recommendations to operational teams
- Conduct training sessions on IP compliance and best practices
- Evaluate marketing and design projects for IP risk
- Perform freedom-to-operate searches and prior art assessments
- Monitor legal developments and maintain awareness of regulatory changes affecting IP protection
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Intellectual Property (Master 2 in Propriété Intellectuelle or equivalent)
- Minimum 6 years of professional experience in an in-house corporate legal role or law firm practice
- Fluent English (written and spoken at an advanced level)
- Demonstrated expertise in IP portfolio management and enforcement
- Strong understanding of French IP law and international IP frameworks
- Experience with contract drafting and negotiation in creative and talent contexts
- Familiarity with brand protection strategies and anti-counterfeiting procedures
Skills
Experience
A minimum of 6 years of professional experience acquired in-house at a major corporation or within a law firm specializing in intellectual property. Prior experience in the luxury fashion, apparel, or accessories sector is advantageous but not required.
Education
Master's degree (Master 2) in Intellectual Property, or equivalent advanced qualification in IP law. An LLM in Intellectual Property or a related specialized qualification is a plus.
Workplace
This position is based in Paris, Île-de-France, France.
Culture
Celine cultivates a refined, exacting workplace where creativity, discipline, and a deep respect for Parisian elegance shape every decision. As an employer, it values craftsmanship, cultural awareness, and strong individual ownership, offering teams an environment that is both demanding and inspiring within the world of luxury fashion.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Celine, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «IP Counsel», «Intellectual Property Counsel», «IP Legal Specialist», «In-House Counsel – Intellectual Property», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.