Senior Paralegal

Withers & Rogers; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading intellectual property law firm in Bristol is seeking an experienced Paralegal to manage a team of IP Administrators. The role requires expertise in IP administration, excellent customer service skills, and the ability to lead and develop a dynamic team. This position offers a competitive salary, flexible working options, and a positive work environment, with opportunities for progression.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Healthcare cash plan

Additional holiday purchase scheme

Flexible working options

Enhanced Parental Leave

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience as an IP Administrator or Paralegal.
• Experience managing and developing team members.
• Ability to work autonomously and prioritize workload.
• Experience in using workflows is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate a team of IP Administrators.
• Appraise, coach, and train team members.
• Manage attorney and client portfolios.
• Drive process improvements for efficiency.
• Maintain professional interactions with clients.

Skills

IP administration experience

Team management

Customer service skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

CIPA Patent Paralegal qualification

Job description

Overview

An exciting new opportunity has arisen for an experienced paralegal to support an important and growing group of clients of Withers & Rogers. This is a great opportunity for a fresh challenge in a fast-paced and dynamic team environment, with opportunities for progression available. This position is responsible for managing three IP Administrators. Candidates should have substantial experience in IP administration or as a paralegal, with an interest in team management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and co-ordinate a team of IP Administrators to ensure all tasks are organised, accurate, and completed to a high standard.
• Appraise, coach, and train team members, including leading on recruitment and onboarding processes when needed.
• Manage attorney and client portfolios, with a focus on meeting deadlines and maintaining service quality.
• Drive process improvements by regularly reviewing workflows and implementing changes for enhanced efficiency.
• Maintain professional interactions with clients, attend meetings as required, and ensure adherence to firm-wide and client-specific procedures within set timeframes.
• Oversee invoicing for key client groups and liaise with the Accounts department when necessary.
• Document procedures to ensure clarity and consistency across the team.
• Prioritise and organise workload, remain composed during busy periods, and uphold thorough attention to detail, particularly when proofreading and logging chargeable time.
• Support business development activities, including prospect research and attending events, which may occasionally take place outside regular working hours.
• Undertake any other duties necessary to meet business needs.

Qualifications

• A CIPA Patent Paralegal qualification, with demonstrable experience as an IP Administrator (secretary) or Paralegal.
• Experience of managing, coaching, and developing team members, for example, being responsible for recruitment and conducting performance reviews.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills, dealing with clients in a professional manner.
• The ability to balance and prioritise workload, able to multi-task and forward plan.
• The ability to work autonomously, remain composed and level-headed during busy periods, whilst also being comfortable operating in a peer-to-peer environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail and pride in accuracy, excellent oral/interpersonal skills with all levels of internal and external contacts.
• Experience in using workflows is an advantage, as is an interest in writing workflows to enable more efficient processes.
• The desire to learn and a willingness to become involved in the work.

About Withers & Rogers

Withers & Rogers is one of Europe's largest dedicated intellectual property law firms, with offices across the UK, Paris, and Munich. Established more than 130 years ago, we remain as passionate as ever about making intellectual property work to our clients' best advantage. Today, our clients include many renowned, innovative organisations from across Europe, North America, and Asia.

We believe that our patent and trade mark attorneys and operations staff have a breadth of expertise and a depth of specialist sector knowledge that is second to none. Our purpose is building trusting relationships, and our vision is to be an independent, responsible, sustainably profitable, and globally focused firm, known for building trusting relationships.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Benefits such as healthcare cash plan and additional holiday purchase scheme
• Flexible working options
• Enhanced Parental Leave options
• Positive and welcoming work environment

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so early applications are encouraged.

We foster a supportive and inclusive culture where employees are encouraged to broaden their knowledge, challenge themselves and share their ideas.

If you think you have the skills to succeed, we would love to hear from you.