Check out our latest opportunities
Are you interested in joining one of the UK’s largest specialist intellectual property firms? Check out our current vacancies below to see if there’s something that matches your skills and ambitions and click ‘apply’ – we’d love to hear from you.
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Job description
We are currently looking to recruit an experienced Patent Administrator, on a full time, permanent basis.
The successful candidate will be responsible for providing a high level of pro- active paralegal support to the fee earners ensuring cases are in order at all times, are actioned appropriately and on time. Responsibilities will include allocating correspondence, preparation and filing of patent and design applications, processing formality requirements and updating due dates, and producing standard and non-standard correspondence.
We are ideally looking for an experienced IP administrator, with a comprehensive understanding of the end to end IP process including filing, publication, grant and deadlines together with familiarity of filing and managing correspondence through the UK and EUIPO websites.
Ideally candidates will be of degree calibre and already hold the CIPA Patent Administrator qualification or are prepared to study for it.
Exceptional candidates without specific IP experience but who hold law degrees and have paralegal or legal secretarial experience and are capable of learning quickly may also be considered.
Candidates should have excellent organisational skills with the ability to work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines; methodical with a very good attention to detail and able to demonstrate good communication skills with the ability to create internal and external correspondence and confident when dealing directly with clients, fee earners, other legal firms etc.
An enthusiastic, flexible and positive approach is key as is showing initiative in planning and thinking ahead without prompting. You should work well as part of a team and show willingness in cross team working as required but have the confidence and knowledge to be able to work independently as required.
In return we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes bonus and contributory pension and after qualifying periods life insurance, private medical insurance and permanent health insurance.
To apply, please forward your CV and letter of application by email to Jane Williams recruitment@barkerbrettell.co.uk.
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Apply Now Permanent Position
Job description
We are currently looking to recruit a permanent IT Operations Support Engineer to work within the existing IT team.
The role is responsible for providing 2nd and 3rd line user support to all users of IT within the firm, ensuring that all IT systems and associated hardware and software is fully operational, resolving issues directly, implementing fixes and flagging issues as appropriate to the Head of IT.
Responsibilities will include maintenance and configuration of PCs, laptops and printers, along with Server hardware, operating system and software maintenance and network hardware such as switches, firewalls and VPN routers etc. Significant IT technical support activity is required which will include, configuration and troubleshooting of application servers such as Worksite and Microsoft Exchange, email archiving and web/email filtering systems.
The successful candidate will be expected to develop good working relationships across all levels of the firm and third party suppliers. A customer service orientation is essential. They will work with the Head of IT to ensure appropriate delegation and prioritisation of help desk activity across the IT team and assist with training and mentoring as appropriate. They will also be expected to deputise for the Head of IT as required.
This is a highly technical role and as such well-developed and proven IT expertise is required to include comprehensive knowledge of the following:-
- Microsoft Active Directory, DNS, DFS, DHCP and Group Policy.
- Windows 7, 10, Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2
- NTFS and File security(permissions)
- Office 2010, Excel, Word, Powerpoint and Outlook
- Networking, TCP/IP including basic switch configuration, network patching, VLANs
- Outlook email and mailbox configuration
- Firewall technology
- Wireless networking
- Network and standalone printers
- Backup and disaster recovery
- Remote access and VPNs
- Server virtualisation ideally VMware 5 or above
- Common desktop applications- Chrome, Adobe Acrobat etc
- IP telephone systems
- Logical troubleshooting methods
Possession of a full driving licence would be a distinct advantage.
In return we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes bonus and contributory pension and after qualifying periods life insurance, private medical insurance and permanent health insurance.
To apply, please forward your CV and letter of application by email to Jane Williams recruitment@barkerbrettell.co.uk.
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Apply Now Permanent Position
Job description
We are currently seeking a biotech patent attorney to work with the teams in Birmingham and Southampton. Ideally based in Birmingham although Southampton may be considered.
We are looking for nearly qualified candidates through to those with several years post qualified experience.
Successful candidates will work closely with the lead partner in the group and will work pro-actively to contribute towards the development of the group and of the business – an enthusiastic, dynamic and outgoing approach to work is therefore essential. The successful candidate will also have the ability to work independently and to work directly with clients and universities in the UK and overseas. There is a good body of existing work and in addition to this the successful candidates will have the brief to grow their own portfolio of clients with a view to becoming independently busy over time. An interest in marketing and business development activity would therefore be a distinct advantage.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including bonus, contributory pension, private medical insurance, life insurance, permanent health insurance, car parking and/or travel loan. Salary is dependent on experience.
For any further information, or to apply, please contact our HR Department at: recruitment@barkerbrettell.co.uk.
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Job description
We are looking to recruit one Trainee Patent Attorney in Birmingham to start in Summer 2019.
We are looking for a candidate with electronics, computer sciences and software degrees.
Graduates should have a minimum 2:1 degree and should be highly motivated with good interpersonal skills. An interest in law as well as a knowledge of French or German would be advantageous.
For all our trainee positions, a structured training programme is provided and each trainee will work directly with a qualified attorney as well as having exposure to other attorneys and support staff in order to gain a full experience of the profession.
Trainees are given a training budget as well as a comprehensive benefits package which includes bonus, contributory pension, life insurance, private medical insurance and permanent health insurance.
For any further information, or to apply, please contact our HR Department at: recruitment@barkerbrettell.co.uk.
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Newly Qualified/Part Qualified and Experienced Patent Attorneys- Engineering/Physics/Software Birmingham and Southampton - Flexible working options considered See detailsApply Now Permanent Position
Job description
We are currently seeking patent attorneys with a variety of qualification levels including near and newly qualified but with engineering/physics and software backgrounds to work with the teams in Birmingham and Southampton.
Part qualified candidates with 2-3 years experience and foundation level examinations completed will also be considered.
Successful candidates will work closely with the lead partner in the group and will work pro-actively to contribute towards the development of the group and of the business – an enthusiastic, dynamic and outgoing approach to work is therefore essential. The successful candidate will also have the ability to work independently and to work directly with small, medium and large industrial clients and universities in the UK and overseas, as well as universities and overseas firms of Attorneys. There is a good body of existing work and in addition to this the successful candidates will have the brief to grow their own portfolio of clients with a view to becoming independently busy over time.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including bonus, contributory pension, private medical insurance, life insurance, permanent health insurance, car parking and/or travel loan. Salary is dependent on experience.
For any further information, or to apply, please contact our HR Department at: recruitment@barkerbrettell.co.uk.
A great place to work
We always aim to recruit capable, intelligent and enthusiastic team players who, by working effectively together, can provide exemplary client service – and at the same time, create a great place to grow. We recognise and reward effort and hard work because we know that retaining good people is essential to our present – and our future.
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all our staff and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
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Having spent the last five years in the public sector, I was keen for a new challenge. I wanted to develop the skills I had gained and use them in a career that would enable to me develop and continually learn. IP was completely new to me but I was really interested in the scope and variety offered with this role. I was impressed by the personal and friendly nature of the company – everyone throughout the organisation was approachable and I was made to feel really comfortable. Every day continues to be challenging and I am constantly learning different aspects of IP, both with regards to patents and trade marks. I would certainly recommend working here for anyone interested in a career in IP. If you want a challenge and the rewards that come with hard work, this firm will certainly deliver.
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When I joined the firm in 1996, I was the only trade mark trainee attorney, assisting two partners. Since then, the trade mark team has grown from three to 15 attorneys and trainees. I stayed with the firm for two reasons – my clients and the Barker Brettell team. I’ve formed deep working relationships with many of my clients and I would hate to lose those, while the team is like a close-knit family. We’ve been through a lot together over the years, professionally and personally, and there’s a very nurturing and supportive environment. We’re very collaborative and we offer a great training platform - our trainees are our future partners and so we do what we can to support them. As one of the largest trade mark teams in the country, we deal with some very exciting clients with challenging legal issues which means people joining the firm experience a broad spectrum of work. We provide excellent on the job training which results in trainees acquiring not only the technical knowledge they need to progress but more importantly, the ability to apply that technical knowledge in a commercial and practical way.
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I was drawn to Barker Brettell because I thought the firm’s values and attitude closely matched my own and that we’d be a good fit for each other. I thought working here would enable me to pursue new opportunities, reach new goals and be part of a big and successful team. Since joining, I’ve been promoted to partner in less than a year; have launched the firm’s specialist designs group and work on a huge variety of cases. Moving to a new firm after more than a decade with a competitor was daunting, but I have no regrets at all. Barker Brettell provides many opportunities for budding patent and trade mark attorneys – it’s a forward thinking firm that never sits still and doesn’t take itself for granted. We always strive for more.
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I joined Barker Brettell straight from college in 1977. I left in 1983 to have my children but was asked back a few years later to provide holiday and maternity cover, and I’ve been here ever since! I had no idea what patent attorneys did at first but found it all very interesting – and still do all these years later. The team I work in is kept very busy but there’s a good team atmosphere and we all get on well. The whole firm is a nice place to work; staff are friendly and the partnership looks after us well. We do our best to provide a good level of client care at all times so the firm’s reputation can be upheld. If you are prepared to work hard and go that extra mile you will find it really enjoyable and will do well.