The Role

As a IP Paralegal, you will provide administrative and paralegal support to colleagues within our fee earning team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop a career within Intellectual Property. Previous IP experience is not essential, as full training and support will be provided. We would particularly welcome applications from candidates with legal secretarial, legal administrative or similar professional services experience who are keen to develop their skills and progress into an IP Paralegal role.

Working closely with experienced colleagues, you will develop the knowledge and skills required to support our fee earners and clients, whilst maintaining high standards of accuracy, organisation and client service.

Key Responsibilities

Working alongside colleagues within the fee earning team, you will receive training and support to undertake a range of administrative and paralegal activities, including:

• Preparing and filing documents with Intellectual Property offices, including the EPO, UKIPO, WIPO and EUIPO.

• Assisting with the management of fee earner prompt lists within our records system.

• Preparing internal forms, correspondence and reports.

• Accessing, updating and uploading information through external client portals.

• Managing case files and associated documentation within our document management system.

• Assisting fee earners with obtaining information from IP-related websites and databases, including the EPO, UKIPO, EUIPO and WIPO.

• Liaising with external service providers to assist with obtaining, managing and processing formal documentation.

• Providing general administrative and paralegal support to the fee earning team.

• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the business to ensure effective communication and a high standard of client care.

• Recording chargeable and non-chargeable time as required.

• Undertaking any additional professional tasks appropriate to the role.

Skills and Competencies

Essential

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage and prioritise a busy workload.

• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

• A professional approach with high ethical standards.

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365.

• A willingness to learn and develop within an Intellectual Property environment.

• A proactive and flexible approach to supporting colleagues and clients.

Desirable

• Previous experience in a legal secretarial, legal administrative or similar professional services support role.

• Previous experience working within a legal or Intellectual Property environment.

• An interest in developing a career as an IP Paralegal.

• Experience working with case management or document management systems.

Training and Development

You will receive on-the-job training and support from experienced colleagues to develop your understanding of Intellectual Property procedures, systems and processes. This role would suit someone who has strong administrative skills and is looking for an opportunity to build their knowledge and develop a career within IP.

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 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