Trainee Patent Attorney/Part Qualified Attorney

at  Gateley

THE TEAM AND QUALIFYING

Symbiosis IP is a firm of Patent Attorneys specialising in the life sciences and chemistry sectors, with Attorneys based in offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, Sheffield and York. The successful applicant will be a key member of the Life sciences team and, in addition to participating in the day-to-day working of the firm, will be expected to study for and pass the exams of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) and the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (EPI). Support and training to meet these expectations will be given throughout the training period.The successful candidate will, therefore, have the opportunity to work alongside a variety of attorneys, administrative and finance staff located throughout our entire network. However, the position will focus primarily on providing patent attorney support to the Sheffield based staff.

THE PERSON

The successful candidate will be a scientific expert qualified to at least PhD level with an eye for detail and an ability to develop professional relationships, internally within our wider Gateley community and externally with our clients. In addition, the candidate must have a strong attention for detail and possess excellent communication skills, written and oral.
Whilst not a strict requirement, we will also consider candidates who are part qualified and having sat one or more foundation exams or are qualified with an IPReg accredited course that leads to a Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property which exempts a trainee from the Foundation Certificate Exams.
The candidate should be looking to expand their knowledge and experience and seeking to become qualified in an exciting, interesting, but demanding, area of the law.

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND WELL BEING

Diversity, inclusion and well-being is an important part of Gateley’s culture and values. We recruit talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, providing equal opportunities for all to join our team regardless of age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, or culture.
We create an exciting and rewarding place to work that aims to fulfil everyone’s potential and together to achieve personal and business goals. We offer flexible working patterns to help our staff achieve a good work/ life balance and we encourage candidates seeking flexibility in their next role to apply for any of our vacancies.
We are proud to have been recognised by The Law Society as gold standard for our Diversity and Inclusion Charter and to be Stonewall Diversity Champions.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a scientific expert with excellent communication skills to join us and carve out a career within a highly respected and forward-thinking firm of patent attorneys. Our vacancy exists within our Life Sciences department in our Sheffield office for an individual with a Chemistry or Chemistry related technical background. We are looking for someone with a track record of success that demonstrates a motivation to succeed and an instinct to always deliver high quality work.

THE ROLE

The successful candidate will provide varied support to our attorneys which will include: assessing the results of prior art searches; devising technical submissions in support of inventive step; preparing portfolio schedules and commenting thereon; devising filing strategies; supporting the filing of national and international patent applications; running a diary system; corresponding with clients, foreign associates and patent offices in relation to patent matters; supporting the preparation of client invoices; and monitoring client accounts.
The position will be based in Sheffield. However, Gateley PLC support a hybrid working culture, so a combination of office and home working is available.