Legal Assistant, Intellectual Property

At McCarthy Tétrault, we offer challenging and rewarding career opportunities and are delighted to have been selected for the eleventh consecutive year in 2023 as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers and one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers. Our culture is built on professional excellence, collaboration, innovation, thought leadership and entrepreneurialism. We embrace inclusion in all its forms and we provide the tools and opportunities to help our people develop to their full potential.

This position can be based out of Vancouver or Toronto. McCarthy Tétrault employees benefit from a hybrid work environment.

As a Legal Assistant, Intellectual Property, you will be:

Documents

• Drafting and preparing correspondence, including standard letters and memos, working with Word and Excel templates.
• Editing, formatting, printing, and revising letters, memos, reports, forms, labels and other printed material from dictation or other instructions.
• Filing with Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) via fax, courier, and CIPO online tools, including generation of cover letters, fax cover sheets and fee payment forms.
• Liaising with foreign agents to file patent and trademark applications in other countries.
• Weekly monitoring of Trademarks Journal for advertisement of applications and generation of reporting correspondence.

File and Time Management

• Managing PATTSY database. Ensuring data is entered, maintained, and required follow-up dates are noted. Entering new applications, new deadlines from incoming trademark. correspondence and opposition matters, generating client specific reports, and generating bi-monthly trademark and opposition deadline reports.
• Managing physical and electronic files for the IP group. Ensuring they are current with all relevant documentation. Bringing forward and pulling files as necessary for Lawyers/Agent attention.
• Requisitioning new files, maintaining a record of all client files, related records and general files.
• Maintaining BF system.
• E-filing of emails.

Administrative Functions

• Inputting all time entries daily and processing all accounts for lawyers.
• Handling trust accounts on behalf of clients.
• Performing Clarivate and CIPO searches and formatting search results as requested.
• Coordinating client meetings, arranging for catering or audio-visual equipment as needed. Organizing equipment and other materials for on-site and off-site presentations.
• Opening and routing incoming mail/distributing correspondence and other material to the appropriate party.
• Working in a team environment which includes occasionally supporting other Legal Assistants and other legal staff.
• Performing other duties as required.

As our ideal candidate, you will distinguish yourself by the following profile:

• Legal Assistant Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 3 years of experience as a Legal Assistant in an Intellectual Property group.
• Strong Patent and Trademark experience is required.
• Strong attention to detail as it relates to drafting of correspondence, proofreading, bill preparation and management of trust accounts.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Strong time management and the ability to prioritize your work to meet important deadlines.
• Energetic, proactive approach, and willingness to take charge to manage work with effectiveness and efficiency.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Able to work independently and under minimal supervision.
• Problem-solving skills with the ability to visualize and deliver creative solutions.

As a member of the McCarthy team, you will have access to:

• Outstanding benefits from day one, including insurance premiums paid by the Firm and wellness and technology reimbursements.
• Competitive compensation, paid overtime and generous time off, including a day off to volunteer and a day off for your birthday.
• A commitment to professional development and growth opportunities for our people at all levels, supported by a culture that fully embraces and encourages two-way feedback.
• Strong community involvement and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• A collaborative, cohesive culture that connects lawyers and business teams through collective purpose.

We thank all applicants for their interest in McCarthy Tétrault; however, only chosen applicants will be contacted. We regret that we are unable to respond to individual inquiries about application status. McCarthy Tétrault is an equal opportunity employer that fosters an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment. Please notify us if you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process.