Steve Madden is seeking an experienced, business-oriented attorney licensed to practice law in one or more European Union jurisdictions to join its Legal Department in New York. This role serves as the primary legal advisor for the Company's European commercial activities and intellectual property matters, supporting Steve Madden's portfolio of footwear, handbags, accessories, apparel, and licensed brands.
The successful candidate will partner closely with business leaders across Sales, Licensing, Product Development, Design, Sourcing, Marketing, and Brand Management to provide practical legal advice that supports the Company's international growth while protecting its valuable intellectual property assets.
Essential Responsibilities:
Commercial Transactions
Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a broad range of domestic and international commercial agreements, including:
- Distribution agreements
- Agency and sales representative agreements
- Licensing agreements
- Manufacturing and supply agreements
- Vendor and service agreements
- E-commerce and technology agreements
- Marketing, promotional, and collaboration agreements
- Advise business teams on commercial and contractual matters involving European markets.
- Support international expansion initiatives and strategic commercial relationships.
- Provide practical legal guidance to business stakeholders to facilitate efficient and compliant commercial operations.
Intellectual Property
- Conduct intellectual property clearance reviews for proposed footwear, handbag, apparel, accessory, packaging, branding, and marketing concepts, with a particular emphasis on European trademark and design rights.
- Advise Design, Product Development, and Merchandising teams regarding intellectual property risks and strategies to minimize infringement exposure while preserving creative flexibility.
- Work closely with outside intellectual property counsel to assess legal risks and develop practical business solutions.
- Assist in developing and implementing global intellectual property protection and enforcement strategies.
Intellectual Property Enforcement
- Oversee and manage trademark, design, copyright, and unfair competition disputes throughout Europe.
- Direct and coordinate outside counsel handling intellectual property litigation, customs enforcement, oppositions, cancellations, and administrative proceedings.
- Develop litigation strategy in collaboration with senior legal leadership and business stakeholders.
- Monitor emerging legal developments affecting European intellectual property rights and advise internal clients accordingly.
Regulatory & Legal Support
- Advise on European legal issues affecting consumer products, including commercial law, marketing practices, consumer protection, and product-related legal considerations.
- Partner with internal teams on legal issues affecting international product launches and business initiatives.
- Assist with legal support for licensing, brand collaborations, and international marketing initiatives.
- Provide legal training to internal business teams regarding intellectual property and commercial contracting best practices.
- Manage outside counsel throughout Europe and oversee legal budgets for assigned matters.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree.
- Licensed and in good standing to practice law in one or more European Union member states.
- Eligible to work in the United States.
- Approximately 2-5 years of relevant legal experience in-house and/or with a leading law firm.
- Experience negotiating sophisticated commercial agreements.
- Demonstrated experience advising on European intellectual property matters, including trademark and design law.
- Experience managing cross-border intellectual property disputes and outside counsel.
- Familiarity with the fashion, footwear, accessories, apparel, luxury, or consumer products industries strongly preferred.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting multinational consumer brands.
- Familiarity with international distribution and licensing arrangements.
- Experience with EU trademark and Community design practice before the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
- Working knowledge of UK intellectual property law following Brexit.
- Fluency in one or more European languages is a plus.
Competencies
- Strong commercial judgment and business acumen.
- Practical, solution-oriented approach to legal issues.
- Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with executives and cross-functional business partners.
- Sound strategic thinking and risk assessment.
- Strong project management capabilities.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and collaborative environment.
Reporting Relationship
This position reports to the General Counsel and works closely with senior leaders throughout the Legal, Design, Product Development, Licensing, Sales, Marketing, Sourcing, and Executive teams.
The expected base salary for this position ranges from $80,000 - $100,000. Ranges are based on various factors such as relevant skillset, training, years of experience related to the current job description, education, and our organizational structure. In addition to the base salary, Steve Madden offers a competitive benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401K, paid holidays, a generous paid time-off policy, and career opportunities within a dynamic team.
Skills Required
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree
- Licensed and in good standing to practice law in one or more European Union member states
- Eligible to work in the United States
- Approximately 2-5 years of relevant legal experience in-house and/or with a leading law firm
- Experience negotiating sophisticated commercial agreements
- Demonstrated experience advising on European intellectual property matters, including trademark and design law
- Experience managing cross-border intellectual property disputes and outside counsel
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical, and communication skills
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously
- Familiarity with the fashion, footwear, accessories, apparel, luxury, or consumer products industries
- Experience supporting multinational consumer brands
- Familiarity with international distribution and licensing arrangements
- Experience with EU trademark and Community design practice before the EUIPO
- Working knowledge of UK intellectual property law following Brexit
- Fluency in one or more European languages
Steve Madden Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Steve Madden and has not been reviewed or approved by Steve Madden.
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Healthcare Strength — Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage plus FSAs, an EAP, and wellness initiatives such as health fairs, flu shots, and Wellness Wednesdays. Feedback suggests these offerings are robust for eligible full-time employees.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) plan with company matching contributions is available. This provides structured support for long-term savings.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Employee merchandise discounts and extras like seasonal free shoes and third-party discount programs are emphasized. These lifestyle perks add tangible non-cash value to the total rewards package.
Steve Madden Insights
What We Do
Steven Madden, Ltd. is globally recognized as a leading company in the fashion industry. What began as a modest $1100 investment in 1990 has developed into one of the most iconic brands in footwear. From a factory in Queens, NY, Steve Madden has revolutionized the shoe industry, merging years of experience with unique and creative designs. Inspired by rock and roll and his NY roots, Steve’s vision to provide on-trend women and men with an outlet to express their individuality is innovative, daring, and inspiring. Steve’s innate understanding of trends and unparalleled willpower have resulted in millions of customers worldwide and propelled his designs to the forefront of fashion. In addition to marketing products under its own brands including Steve Madden®, Kurt Geiger London®, Dolce Vita®, Betsey Johnson®, Carvela®, Blondo® and ATM®, Steve Madden licenses footwear, handbags and other accessory categories for the Anne Klein® brand. In addition, Steve Madden designs and sources products under private label brand names for various retailers. Steve Madden’s wholesale distribution includes department stores, mass merchants, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers, national chains, specialty retailers and independent stores. Steve Madden also directly operates brick-and-mortar retail stores and e-commerce websites. In addition, Steve Madden licenses certain of its brands to third parties for the marketing and sale of certain products in the apparel, accessory, and home categories. With an emphasis on retail, wholesale, licensing and international business, there's a constant need for new ideas and versatility. Our environment is extremely fast paced and requires associates to maintain a balance of energy and professionalism. Steve Madden is about fashion-forward product and great people. Our employees are energized, intelligent and passionate about our business and committed to providing excellent customer service.
