Patent Coordinator

Gowling WLG International; Calgary; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer-paid health, dental, and

Mental health coverage

Hybrid work flexibility

Vacation days (15+)

Disability and life insurance

Employee & Family Assistance Program

Job summary

Gowling WLG International in Calgary seeks a Patent Coordinator to coordinate worldwide prosecution of patents. The role requires meticulous attention to detail, prioritization, and a genuine interest in intellectual property law.

This contract position runs through June 2027. You will manage deadlines, prepare filing materials, communicate with foreign associates, and support a dynamic IP team across offices.

Qualifications

• Law Clerk or Legal Administrative Diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• 3–5 years of related experience.
• Ability to communicate clearly, effectively and professionally with team members, other Firm members, clients, foreign associates, CIPO and other Intellectual Property Offices.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including a proven ability to set priorities and work strategically.
• Knowledge of Canadian, International and other foreign Patent practices (US, EP, PCT and others).
• Knowledge of Intellectual Property in-house databases.
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and finalize patent application filing materials for filing in the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and the United States Patent Office (USPTO).
• Prepare, review and finalize patent application filing instructions to be sent to foreign associates in various countries around the world.
• Coordinate with professionals to ensure abstracts, specifications, claims and drawings meet jurisdictional requirements.
• Review and prepare client letters, assignments, petitions, powers of attorney, and inventor declarations.
• Screen and review incoming correspondence post-filing for Canadian, US and foreign applications.
• Relay examiner reports and office letters, coordinating drafting and filing of submissions and responses.
• Review and forwarding notice of allowances and letters patent documents to clients.
• Oversee coordination with professionals on patent validations and appeals.
• Monitor daily diaries and due case reports and take action as needed.
• Manage multiple deadlines, communicate with team, and ensure deadlines are met.
• Other duties as required.

Skills

Clear communication

Prioritization

Deadline management

Team collaboration

IP law interest

Education

Law Clerk or Legal Administrative Diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About Gowling Wlg

At Gowling WLG, our commitment to excellence begins with our people. As an international law firm with offices in Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, we’re proud to recruit and retain top talent who bring energy, insight, and a singular focus on delivering exceptional experiences – for our clients and each other.

About Gowling Wlg

At Gowling WLG, our commitment to excellence begins with our people. As an international law firm with offices in Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, we’re proud to recruit and retain top talent who bring energy, insight, and a singular focus on delivering exceptional experiences – for our clients and each other.

We’re intentional about building a workplace that’s both high-performing and supportive, ensuring that everyone is empowered to do their best work and reach their full potential. Our culture is grounded in our shared values: Raise the Bar, Embrace Differences, and Thrive Together. These values shape how we collaborate, lead, and succeed – across teams, time zones, and career paths.

Whether you’re pursuing a role in law or business services, explore what’s possible and make your mark with Gowling WLG.

PROFILE

With unmatched expertise in patents, trademarks, brands and designs, copyright, advertising, Intellectual Property litigation, our Firm has been winning cases for clients around the world for over 125 years. Our Intellectual Property Group offers exceptional representation in a dynamic and competitive market.

Our Patent Coordinator plays a key role in coordinating worldwide prosecution of domestic and foreign patents. The successful candidate will bring excellent attention to detail, prioritization skills, and a genuine interest in intellectual property law.

This role is a contract position with a June 2027 end date.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and finalizing patent application filing materials for filing in the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and the United States Patent Office (USPTO).
• Preparing, reviewing and finalizing patent application filing instructions to be sent to foreign associates in various countries around the world;
• Coordinating with professionals with respect to the above, including ensuring that patent abstracts, specifications, claims and drawing are in accordance with various jurisdictional requirements;
• Reviewing and preparing client letters, assignments, petitions, powers of attorneys, and inventor declarations;
• Screening and reviewing incoming correspondence post-filing for Canadian, US and foreign applications;
• Relay formal examiner’s reports and office letters, coordinating with professionals regarding the drafting and filing of submissions, including requests for examination/advanced examination, requests for continued examination, preliminary/voluntary amendments, payments of final fee, and responses to examiner’s reports;
• Reviewing and forwarding notice of allowances and letters patent documents to clients;
• Overseeing and coordinating with professionals and foreign associates regarding patent validations and patent appeals;
• Reviewing and monitoring daily diaries and due case reports and initiating appropriate action where necessary;
• Managing multiple deadlines, communicating with others and ensuring important deadlines are met;
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Law Clerk or Legal Administrative Diploma from a recognized post‑secondary institution;
• 3 – 5 years of related experience;
• Ability to communicate clearly, effectively and professionally with team members, other Firm members, clients, foreign associates, CIPO and other Intellectual Property Offices;
• Strong problem‑solving skills, including a proven ability to set priorities and work strategically;
• Ability to produce a high quality and quantity of work product often under tight timelines and under strict deadlines;
• Knowledge of both Canadian, International and other foreign Patent practices (US, EP, PCT and others);
• Knowledge of Intellectual Property in‑house databases;
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Benefits/Perks

Gowling WLG’s total rewards program is designed to foster a culture where high performance and personal well‑being go hand‑in‑hand. We support your career and life with:

• 100% employer‑paid health, dental, and mental health coverage, plus an annual lifestyle spending allowance
• Benefits coverage for Firm members and their dependents from day one!
• 15+ vacation days and hybrid work flexibility
• Financial protection through short & long‑term disability, life, accident & critical illness insurance
• Employee & Family Assistance Program, guided CBT, and an internal network of 120+ trained Mental Health First Aid responders
• Recognition awards, appreciation events, and a supportive, collaborative work culture
• Perks and preferred pricing programs, referral bonuses and more

This position is currently vacant and is open to both internal and external candidates. Gowling WLG is recruiting for this role to support ongoing firm needs and team operations.

This employer may use tools within our applicant tracking system that include artificial intelligence–supported features, such as automated candidate matching. These tools do not make hiring decisions; all screening, assessments, and selections are reviewed and completed by human recruiters and hiring managers.

Gowling WLG is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are in need of accommodation or support at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know.