Senior Paralegal

Webrecruit; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A dedicated intellectual property law firm seeks a Senior Paralegal for their Bristol office. Responsibilities include overseeing IP Administrators, managing portfolios, and driving process improvements. Ideal candidates will possess a CIPA qualification and have experience in team management. The firm offers a competitive salary and benefits, along with flexible working options.

Benefits

Healthcare cash plan

Additional holiday purchase scheme

Flexible working options

Enhanced Parental Leave

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience as an IP Administrator or Paralegal.
• Experience managing team members, including recruitment and performance reviews.
• Ability to multi-task and effectively prioritize workload.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a team of IP Administrators, ensuring high standards.
• Manage attorney and client portfolios, focusing on service quality.
• Support business development activities including prospect research.

Skills

CIPA Patent Paralegal qualification

Team management

Customer service

Attention to detail

Excellent communication

Job description

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.

The Role

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.

This is a full-time permanent position ideally based in our Bristol office, however we are open to the successful candidate working from our Sheffield or Warwick office instead. Hybrid working options, including working from home, are available.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate 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.

About You

To join us as a Senior Paralegal, you’ll need:

• CIPA Patent Paralegal qualification essential, 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.
• Ability to balance and prioritise workload, able to multi-task and forward plan.
• Working autonomously can 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.

Your Rewards

We offer a competitive salary, benefits such as healthcare cash plan and additional holiday purchase scheme, flexible working options, enhanced Parental Leave options, and a 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.