Patent Paralegal (In-House)

Epiq Counsel; Bracknell; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Epiq Counsel is seeking an European Patent Operations Specialist to support a European patent portfolio through the full lifecycle, collaborating with patent attorneys, external counsel and the EPO. The role sits in the IP Operations team and involves managing deadlines, docketing and filings.

You will work with Anaqua, monitor EP prosecution to grant, oppositions, and validations, and coordinate with law firms and internal teams.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of EP patent paralegal or equivalent IP support experience.
• Experience with EP patent prosecution and EPC rules; awareness of US, PCT and national phase filings.
• Experience using Anaqua or similar docketing systems; ability to liaise with European patent attorneys and law firms.
• CIPA qualification, EPAC Paralegal qualification, or similar IP credential preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review and docket incoming European correspondence, ensuring deadlines and required actions are captured in Anaqua.
• Monitor EPO and internal deadlines across the EP lifecycle from prosecution to grant, opposition and validation.
• Liaise with internal patent attorneys and external European law firms to progress EP filings and actions.
• Prepare and file documents via EPO Online Filing 2.0 and MyEPO.
• Support oppositions and other EPO proceedings, including preparation of procedural documentation.
• Assist with SPC/PTE tracking and lifecycle management, where relevant.

Skills

EP docketing

EPO procedures (EPC)

Collaboration with patent attorneys

European patent landscape knowledge

Liaison with external law firms

Education

CIPA qualification or EPAC Paralegal

Tools

Anaqua

IP docketing systems

Job description

Join our global pharmaceutical client as a European Patent Operations Specialist, supporting a sophisticated international patent portfolio through the full European patent lifecycle. This role sits within the client's IP Operations team and offers the opportunity to work closely with patent attorneys, external European counsel, and the European Patent Office (EPO) on high-impact intellectual property matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and docket incoming European correspondence, ensuring deadlines and required actions are accurately captured in Anaqua.
• Monitor EPO and internal deadlines across the EP patent lifecycle, from prosecution through to grant, opposition, and validation.
• Liaise with internal patent attorneys and external European law firms to progress EP filings and actions.
• Prepare and file documents via EPO Online Filing 2.0 and MyEPO.
• Support oppositions and other EPO proceedings, including preparation of procedural documentation.
• Assist with SPC/PTE tracking and lifecycle management, where relevant.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience as an EP patent paralegal or equivalent front-line IP support role.
• Demonstrable experience in EP patent prosecution support and familiarity with EPO procedural rules under the EPC. An understanding and awareness of the global patent landscape (United States, PCT and National phase filings).
• Experience using IP docketing systems; Anaqua experience is an advantage.
• Experience working directly with European patent attorneys, external European law firms, and the European Patent Office.
• CIPA qualification, EPAC Paralegal qualification, or similar intellectual property credential, preferred.
• Epiq Counsel partners with industry-leading clients in support of their sophisticated interim talent needs. Candidates must be interested in practicing within an alternative, fixed-term legal services model.

Working Arrangement

• Secondment Engagement
• Expected 12+ months, with potential for long-term extension.
• Hybrid role with a minimum of two days per week onsite in Bracknell.
• Convenient location approximately 10 minutes' walk from the Bracknell train station, offering an easy commute from London.
• Join a global pharmaceutical industry leader.
• Work alongside experienced patent attorneys and IP professionals.
• Gain exposure to complex international patent portfolios.
• Long-term engagement stability with potential for extension.
• Hybrid flexibility with a collaborative and supportive team.

About Epiq Counsel

Epiq Counsel is an innovative legal services talent provider that offers meaningful in-house legal secondment work and flexibility to sophisticated and credentialed lawyers and legal professionals. Our lawyers and legal professionals work on a wide variety of legal matters for Fortune 500 clients. Epiq works hard to provide our diverse legal talent with challenging work for sophisticated clients that does not require sacrificing flexibility or control.

Our team takes the time and attention to understand each legal professionals practice areas, experience, and preferences to ensure they are presented with sophisticated interim in-house opportunities with leading law departments across the globe. Leverage our network to work for organisations in need of top-tier legal services. Take the next step in your legal career and join a vibrant community of Epiq legal professionals!