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 a number of Trainee Patent Attorneys to join our Birmingham office.
Ideally candidates will start with us in the Summer or Autumn of 2017.
We are looking for graduates with a minimum 2:1 degree in Mechanical Engineering and Electronics. Candidates 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 full experience of the profession. Trainees are given a training budget and study leave as well as a comprehensive benefits package, which includes bonus, contributory pension scheme, life assurance, private medical insurance and permanent health insurance.
For any further information, or to apply, please contact Head of HR, Jane Williams at: HRenquiries@barkerbrettell.co.uk
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Job description
Finals level up to several years PQE
In Birmingham we are currently seeking patent attorneys with high tech, physics, telecoms, electronics or mechanical engineering backgrounds.
For all roles we will consider candidates from finals level up to 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 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 Head of HR, Jane Williams at: HRenquiries@barkerbrettell.co.uk
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Job description
We are currently looking to recruit a Renewals Clerk with responsibility for effectively maintaining the renewals part of the records system, processing reminders and instructions, payment of fees and updating records.
There is a requirement in this role to deal with large volumes of work and to operate within strict timeframes. It is imperative therefore that the jobholder can be relied upon to organise and manage their own workload on a day to day basis and immediately flag issues that may compromise the renewals process or deadlines.
The job holder will be expected to liaise regularly with both clients and fee earners so a clear and confident communication style is required, via telephone, email and face to face, together with an appreciation of the need to provide quality and accurate information at all times.
This is a busy team and the successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate pace and enthusiasm and the ability to think on their feet and multi task without impacting the quality of their work. Self-motivation and a sense of accountability for their own responsibilities will be key whilst also working effectively as part of a team.
Ideally candidates will have some previous experience of working in a renewals or records environment where strict adherence to process and the maintenance of controls are paramount. Additionally it would be expected that they will be numerate. Whilst knowledge of IP practices in different countries would be desirable, this is not a pre-requisite and we are happy to consider candidates from insurance/financial regulated and process-driven industries also.
For any further information, or to apply, please contact Head of HR, Jane Williams at: HRenquiries@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.