IP Paralegal

London / Oxford (Hybrid)

£50,000 – £55,000 + benefits

Full-time

The Opportunity

Our client, a leading intellectual property firm, is seeking an experienced IP Paralegal to join their collaborative and highly skilled support team.

You’ll work within a multi-disciplinary paralegal function supporting fee earners across patents, trade marks, designs, and legal/assignment matters. The structure of the team promotes variety, autonomy, and ongoing cross-training, making this a dynamic and rewarding role for someone looking to broaden their IP expertise.

Unlike traditional roles, many routine formalities tasks are handled by dedicated teams, allowing you to focus on more complex, value-added work where your knowledge and judgement are key.

Key Responsibilities

Core Duties

• Provide high-level support to fee earners across a broad range of IP matters
• Act as a key point of contact for clients and foreign agents
• Assist in supervising and mentoring junior team members where appropriate
• Manage non-technical aspects of patent, trade mark, and design prosecution
• Maintain and update records within the IP management system
• Coordinate international filings (e.g. PCT national phase, global trade mark programmes)
• Prepare cost estimates, forecasts, and portfolio reports
• Support client portfolio transfers and onboarding
• Assist with renewals management and instructions to third parties
• Handle client queries and day-to-day correspondence
• Support due diligence, legal research, and project work
• Assist with billing processes and internal coordination

Specialist Responsibilities

(Depending on your experience)

Patents

• Manage US Information Disclosure Statements (IDS)
• Handle Indian Section 8 requirements and other foreign formalities
• Coordinate PCT national phase filings
• Monitor deadlines, reminders, and case data
• Support patent searching and citation management

Trade Marks

• Prepare and file UK, EU, and international trade mark applications
• Draft specifications and review examination reports
• Report on prosecution progress and advise clients
• Review watch notices and identify potential conflicts
• Assist with oppositions, appeals, and evidence gathering
• Manage deadlines and communicate with clients proactively

Designs

• Prepare and file UK, EU, and international design applications
• Review drawings and application materials
• Coordinate filings with foreign agents
• Report on examination outcomes and registrations

Legal & Assignments

• Record assignments and ownership changes
• Support litigation-related administrative tasks
• Manage document execution, notarisation, and legalisation

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in an IP paralegal or highly autonomous IP support role (essential)
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing deadlines
• Confident working independently with minimal supervision
• Excellent communication skills and client-facing experience
• Experience with IP management systems (e.g. Inprotech) desirable
• Strong MS Office skills (Word, Excel essential)
• Exposure to assignments work advantageous

Qualifications

• Degree educated (desirable)
• CIPA, CITMA or equivalent qualification (desirable)