Trade Marks Records Formalities Assistant

Trade Marks Records Formalities Assistant

An exciting opportunity to join a busy and innovative formalities team within a real heavyweight in the trade mark field. This role is primarily based in our London office, although applicants for our Sheffield, Glasgow, or Edinburgh offices will also be considered.

About The Role

CMS boasts the largest trademark team in the UK, comprising 9 partners and 40 associates, with over 25 years’ experience managing trade mark portfolios. We represent major household names across all sectors, providing advice on some of the world’s largest trade mark portfolios. CMS offers the full spectrum of Trade Mark work, including due diligence and transactional; clearance and prosecution; strategic and day-to-day advice including portfolio management; trade mark-related aspects of advertising and marketing; and enforcement. Our dedicated and experienced Trade Mark Records team handles all aspects of trade mark formalities and renewals, delivering greater savings and efficiencies for our clients while maintaining expertise and specialism in this critical area.

Key Responsibilities

• Inputting data onto our records system, Patricia, and updating records to reflect new deadlines/statuses; providing diary reports to the wider team.
• Extensive use of UKIPO and WIPO websites/databases, including but not limited to downloading incoming correspondence, preparing and filing various trademark forms such as new applications, renewals, assignments, and change of names.
• Dealing with formalities associated with trademark and design applications.
• Preparing and filing UK and International trademark and design applications.
• Liaising with our EU trademark and designs team in Warsaw.
• Reporting new trademark/design filings, publications, and checking and reporting registration certificates to clients.
• Corresponding effectively with foreign agents; seeking and preparing cost estimates; preparing powers of attorneys; filing assignments/change of names.
• Corresponding effectively with clients, seeking instructions, and reporting developments.
• Assisting with trademark renewals in the UK and overseas.
• Managing your own deadline diary.
• Opening new matters, including sending conflict checks.
• Ensuring the document management system (DMS) is kept up to date with all correspondence.
• You will manage renewals for a number of clients.

About You

We are committed to investing in your ongoing training and development to support your professional goals and help you thrive in your role from day one. Our opportunities are open to all suitably qualified applicants. To be considered for this Trade Marks Records Formalities Assistant role, you must meet the following skills and experience:

• Experience in trademark formalities work, including accurately inputting trade mark data into databases and monitoring deadlines, is essential (minimum one year).
• Self-motivated and proactive attitude are essential.
• Enthusiastic, confident with good organisational and administration skills.
• Flexible and able to effectively manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Good Microsoft Office skills.
• Good communication skills, both oral and written.

Desirable Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• Knowledge of the Patricia database would be an advantage but is not essential.
• Previous experience with a document management system would be beneficial but is not essential.

What’s in it for you?

We aim to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We understand that everyone is different, which is why we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. These benefits include:

• Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually).
• Flexible, hybrid working policy.
• Generous bonus scheme.
• Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service).
• Holiday exchange scheme.
• Private medical insurance.
• Enhanced parental leave.
• Reasonable adjustments and accommodation for disabled talent in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

For more information regarding our range of benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.

Key skills/competency

• Trademark Formalities
• IP Records Management
• Portfolio Management
• Renewals Processing
• Data Entry Accuracy
• UKIPO Database
• WIPO Database
• Client Correspondence
• Foreign Agent Liaison
• Deadline Management