IP Assistant – Intellectual Property (Patents)

ABOUT GOWLING WLG

At Gowling WLG, our dedication to excellence and quality service begins with our people. As a global law firm with offices across Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we pride ourselves on sourcing and retaining top talent who bring energy, passion and commitment to the delivery of outstanding client service.

When it comes to diversity, we not only accept it — we celebrate it, support it and thrive on it. To create an engaging and rewarding place to work, we seek to attract talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. Our aim is to help everyone reach their full potential and achieve their personal and professional goals.

Employee satisfaction is important to us. We work hard to ensure that our people are motivated, engaged and empowered. We are guided by our firm’s Core Values – The Power of Teamwork, Always Striving to be Better, We all Bring Something Different – in all that we do.

Our diverse group of legal professionals, law students, law clerks/paralegals, legal administrative assistants and business support services team work together, and are respected and valued for their individual contributions.

PROFILE

We are currently recruiting for an Intellectual Property Assistant – Patents. In this role, you will work within a team environment, providing administrative support to the patent lawyers and agents.

This position can be based out of the Ottawa or Toronto office.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordinating payment of patent and industrial design maintenance fees to CIPO and foreign jurisdictions
Reviewing and entering correspondence from CIPO, Foreign Patent Offices and Foreign Associates into the Intellectual Property in-house database.
Processing and entering updates into the Intellectual Property in-house database i.e. file opening forms, client contacts, removing and entering deadlines.
Opening, preparing and filing PCT applications to WIPO and Industrial Design and Canadian applications to CIPO.
Preparing and forwarding correspondence to CIPO, clients and foreign associates using the Intellectual Property in-house database templates.
Reviewing and taking action to resolve errors and discrepancies identified with documents submitted to or received from CIPO.  Resolving issues can include making calls to CIPO, using CIPO’s on-line feedback form as well as submitting formal written correction requests.
Coordinating and communicating updates with the Accounting department i.e. changing clients, processing foreign associate invoices and submitting disbursements.
Resolving work-related matters in a professional and timely manner.

QUALIFICATIONS

Gowling WLG has introduced a COVID-19 mandatory vaccination policy that requires full vaccination against COVID-19 for everyone working in or visiting its Canadian offices effective September 27, 2021. Accordingly, an offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful candidate providing proof of full vaccination. Any exemption request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and granted only where the request meets the requirements of applicable legislation
3-5 years’ experience working as a Patent Assistant.
Canadian and Foreign Patent experience.
Produce a high quality and quantity of work product, occasionally under tight timelines.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite with strong keyboard and dicta-typing skills.
Gowling WLG is proud to offer equal employment opportunities.

If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know.

While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.