IP Paralegal (Patents)

Potter Clarkson; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working policy

In-office 2-3 days per week

Birthday leave

Pension scheme

Charitable day off

Parental leave

Electric car scheme

Discretionary annual bonus

Healthcare packages

Discount vouchers

Cycle to work

Away days

Job summary

Potter Clarkson LLP in the United Kingdom is seeking an IP Paralegal to support the fee earning team with a mix of chargeable and non-chargeable work. You will handle administrative tasks, document preparation, and liaise with internal business services to ensure smooth cross-department collaboration.

You will assist with filing to EPO, UKIPO, WIPO and EUIPO, manage case files and client portals, and work towards completing the CIPA qualification while delivering high standards of client care

Qualifications

• Experience in an IP/legal environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365 tools.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to prioritise a busy workload.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• High ethical standards.
• Commitment to completing CIPA qualification.

Responsibilities

• Support fee earning team with chargeable and non-chargeable work.
• Assist with filing documents to IP offices (EPO, UKIPO, WIPO, EUIPO).
• Manage fee earner prompt lists and internal reports.
• Update and upload information on external client portals.
• Manage case files in the document management system.
• Assist fee earners with information from IP offices and IP websites/databases.
• Collaborate with outside service providers to obtain and process documents.
• Ensure high levels of client care.
• Book and track chargeable/non-chargeable hours.
• Perform additional professional tasks as needed.

Skills

IP/Legal environment

Microsoft 365

Attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Prioritisation

Interpersonal skills

Ethical standards

CIPA qualification

Job description

As an IP Paralegal, you will provide comprehensive support to your group, working alongside colleagues within the fee earning team. You will assist with various administrative tasks whilst maintaining and ensuring operational excellence in line with our internal processes and legal requirements. Additionally, you will support and liaise with internal business services teams to facilitate effective communication and collaboration across departments.

Key Responsibilities

Working closely with colleagues in the fee earning team, you will carry out chargeable and non-chargeable work and play a valuable part in direct client care, as well as assisting internal administrative service departments to ensure smooth interactions and effective communication across the business.

Other Responsibilities Include

• Preparation and filing of documents directly to the IP offices, including EPO, UKIPO, WIPO, and the EUIPO
• Assisting with the management of fee earner prompt lists created in our records system
• Preparation of internal forms and reports
• Accessing, updating and uploading information on external client portals
• Management of case files in our document management system
• Assisting fee earners with obtaining information from EPO, UKIPO, EUIPO, WIPO and other IP related websites and databases
• Working collaboratively with outside service providers where necessary to ensure formal documents are obtained, managed and processed
• Ensuring high levels of client care
• Working alongside your fee earning team, including the booking of your own chargeable and non-chargeable hours
• Any additional professional tasks as may be identified

Skills and Competencies

Essential

• Experience in an IP/Legal environment
• Microsoft 365
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage and prioritise a busy workload
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• High ethical standards
• Commitment to completing CIPA qualification

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience as an IP Paralegal
• CIPA qualification

The Company

Potter Clarkson LLP is one of the leading pan-European Intellectual Property law firms, with seven offices across the UK, Denmark, Sweden and Germany.

We offer clients a full IP service to support them in achieving their commercial objectives. We pride ourselves in the exceptional level of client care offered by our approachable and engaged team.

The firm is consistently ranked in the top tier of major legal guides, such as Legal 500 and MIP. We also hold three independent ISO accreditations which evidence our high level of environmental awareness, service provision and information security.

We are committed to promoting a healthy work-life balance and supporting the wellbeing of all our people. We offer a wealth of health and wellbeing benefits and resources including healthcare, attractive flexible working options, sports and social groups, virtual yoga and mindfulness sessions, a virtual wellbeing hub, mental health first aiders, and a busy social calendar.

Benefits

• We offer a flexible working policy, with employees expected to be in the office two - three days per week. Initially, the successful candidate will need to work in the office full-time whilst in their probation to facilitate their training and integration into the company.
• Competitive salary, dependant on experience.
• Birthday leave.
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme.
• One paid day off per year for charitable work.
• Enhanced parental leave.
• Electric car scheme.
• Discretionary annual bonus.
• Health care packages.
• Discount vouchers.
• Cycle to work.
• Company aways days.

We are committed to providing a highly supportive, inclusive and stimulating workplace for all our people. Read more about how we’re building a more equal, diverse and inclusive culture here