Senior IP Legal Assistant – London

A highly regarded IP firm is looking to appoint a Senior IP Legal Assistant to join its central London office. Known for its technical excellence, the firm combines an impressive client portfolio with a supportive, partnership-led culture. With a collaborative atmosphere and strong infrastructure, this is an excellent environment for IP professionals seeking long-term progression and work of genuine quality.

This opportunity would suit someone with a background in patent or trade mark support, ideally with formal qualifications such as the CITMA certificate. The role involves working closely with fee earners across multiple practice areas, providing high-level legal administrative support across patent and trade mark matters. You will act as a senior member of the IP support team, contributing to mentoring and team cohesion as well as driving quality in service delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide high-level legal support to fee earners across patent and trade mark portfolios
• Liaise confidently with clients and foreign agents, handling queries and managing correspondence
• Manage assignments, name and address changes and notarisation/legalisation of documents
• Prepare and file official forms with the EPO, UKIPO, EUIPO and WIPO
• Produce accurate correspondence tailored to specific client requirements and delivery methods
• Maintain and monitor diary systems and deadlines for both yourself and allocated fee earners
• Handle coordination of trade mark applications and manage formalities throughout the full lifecycle
• Oversee billing processes, including WIP review, invoice request and draft invoice review
• Ensure high standards of document management using DMS (e.g. iManage) and case systems (eg Inprotech)
• Mentor junior team members, assist with training and contribute to a supportive team environment
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure shared inboxes and workload peaks are handled efficiently
• Document key processes, suggest improvements and contribute to firm-wide change initiatives
• Manage secure portals, CRM data, portfolio reports and cost estimates
• Support ad hoc business and administrative tasks as needed

Requirements:

• Extensive experience in trade mark formalities within a law firm or IP firm environment
• Strong understanding of UKIPO, EPO, EUIPO and WIPO procedures
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proactive, adaptable and collaborative working style
• Familiarity with IP case management systems (eg Inprotech) and document management systems (eg iManage)
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior colleagues is advantageous
• CITMA qualification is highly desirable
• Confident handling of client correspondence and legal documentation independently

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