Patent Administrator

We’re recruiting a patent administrator for our patent team. The role is based on-site at our head office in Derby.

Our firm, Swindell & Pearson, is a legal services firm that advises clients on intellectual property law. Our patent team focuses on obtaining, defending and enforcing patents for our clients. Some of our clients are based locally in the Midlands, but many are based internationally in Europe, the USA and Asia.  Our client base is very diverse and includes small businesses, universities and multinational corporations, including some well-known household names.

The patent administrator role predominantly involves supporting our patent attorneys in obtaining patents for our clients. You’ll work in close collaboration with two patent attorneys to help them to work as effectively and efficiently as possible. The role will include:

• Preparing forms for electronically filing patent applications at the UK Intellectual Property Office and the European Patent Office;


• Sending instructions, prepared in collaboration with our patent attorneys, to foreign patent firms around the world in connection with foreign patent applications;


• Entering deadlines into our deadline management system;


• Dealing with administrative queries from foreign patent firms and patent offices;


• Processing incoming emails and preparing & sending outgoing emails;


• Monitoring deadlines and sending reminders to clients;


• Updating and monitoring our time recordal & work-in-progress system;


• Preparing and sending invoices; and


• Occasional audio typing.

It isn’t necessary for you to have previous experience of patent administration nor experience of working in a legal services firm. We’re really looking for somebody that can prepare forms and documents with a very careful eye and who can learn and follow our administrative procedures. You’ll need to be able to prioritise your work, because you will be busy. We will greatly value your excellent spelling and grammar (minimum GCSE English Language grade ‘B’ required).

If this sounds like you, then we’d love to hear from you. The role offers:

• A competitive salary;


• A contributory pension;


• A commitment to providing you with excellent training from our expert patent administrators and patent attorneys;


• A 35-hour week (Monday to Friday);


• 4 weeks’ annual leave (plus bank holidays), progressing in stages to 5 weeks after completed continuous service;


• The opportunity to work with a super friendly team.

When applying, please send us details of your previous work experience and your salary expectations.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Closing date for applications 31st January 2025