Hermès Corporate & Intellectual Property Legal Counsel (Apprenticeship)

About Hermès

Hermès is an independent, family-owned Parisian Maison renowned for artisanal craftsmanship, discretion and long-term creative vision. The group operates across multiple métiers — from leather goods and ready-to-wear to perfumes and watches — and maintains a global presence while preserving a strong heritage of quality and innovation.

Role & Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate commercial and intellectual property contracts in French and English (product development agreements, IP assignments, coexistence agreements, service contracts, manufacturing and IT contracts, NDAs, selective distribution agreements).
• Support IP clearance and registration processes: trademark and design searches, filings, monitoring of oppositions and procedural follow-up with national and international offices.
• Conduct risk analyses and compliance checks for new products and services; perform competitive and regulatory watch relevant to the Pôle Marques & Métiers Sélectifs.
• Assist in enforcement and defence of IP rights (oppositions, annulment and forfeiture actions), coordinating with external counsel on pre‑litigation and litigation matters.
• Advise and assist operational teams on corporate and IP-related legal issues, ensuring project conformity with applicable domestic and international regulations.
• Contribute to the legal watch of the Pôle and prepare internal legal memoranda and project validations.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in or holder of a Master 2 (third-cycle) in Intellectual Property Law and/or Business/Commercial Law.
• Ideally at least six months' prior experience as an intern or apprentice in-house or in a law firm, particularly in IP or corporate law; beginners accepted.
• Fluent written and spoken English; professional legal drafting ability in both English and French is highly desirable.
• Excellent organisational skills, pragmatism, adaptability, discretion and the capacity to work both collaboratively and autonomously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and with legal research databases.

Skills

Experience

Ideally at least six months' experience as an intern or alternant in a corporate legal department or law firm, with exposure to intellectual property and/or business law matters; candidates with limited professional experience but strong academic credentials are accepted.

Education

Master 2 (or enrolled) in Intellectual Property Law and/or Master 2 in Business/Commercial Law.

Workplace

Culture

Hermès values artisanal excellence, creative independence and long-term stewardship. The legal department operates collaboratively with operational métiers, emphasising rigor, discretion and support for innovation across the Maison.

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.