Job Description

Job Advert


Openshaw & Co. is a growing firm of patent attorneys based in Farnham, Surrey. We pride ourselves in helping clients across the UK, Europe, and worldwide protect their innovations with expert intellectual property services.


We are recruiting for a Paralegal Team Leader to play a key role in supervising and developing our paralegal team while managing a personal caseload of formalities work. This is a great opportunity for someone with patent/IP experience who enjoys leading others, improving processes, and ensuring the smooth, accurate delivery of formalities support. Working closely with the Formalities Manager and Managing Director, you will help drive high-quality client service, support team performance and contribute to the ongoing development of our operations and ways of working.


This role will require one day a week working from the Farnham office.

Main Responsibilities

Paralegal Team Supervision and People Management

Lead the day-to-day activity of the paralegal team for your assigned client group, overseeing workflow allocation, prioritisation and completion of tasks (including checks) to ensure deadlines and quality standards are met. Managing holiday requests for the client group paralegal team to ensure appropriate cover throughout the year. Monitor team performance, providing guidance, coaching and constructive feedback, and act as the first point of escalation for queries or issues. Support the training and development of paralegals, promoting consistency, best practice and continuous improvement. Work closely with the Formalities Manager on operational delivery, resourcing and process enhancements.

Administration and Quality Control

Oversee processes to ensure data accuracy across IP systems (e.g. Foundation IP and Anaqua), including monitoring reminder reports and escalating outstanding actions where needed. Support or oversee invoicing and other administrative processes for the client group. Maintain and update process documentation, templates and contribute to process improvements to ensure compliance with firm and regulatory standards.

Personal Case Management

Manage a personal caseload of formalities work, including preparing and submitting filings, monitoring deadlines and procedural requirements, and ensuring all case records remain accurate and complete. Handle digital post from the EPO and UKIPO, downloading, cross-checking and docketing appropriately, and monitoring/actioning docketing reminders. Report filings to clients, follow up on instructions, run status checks and maintain accuracy across all relevant IP systems.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential

Proven experience in a patent or IP environment (ideally including EPO and UKIPO formalities), with strong understanding of patent processes such as docketing, post management, filings and reporting. Proficiency with IP systems (e.g., Foundation IP and Anaqua) and standard office software, with high accuracy and attention to detail. Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including experience supervising or supporting others.

Benefits will include:

25 days holiday Long service holiday award Employee ownership trust bonus Private medical insurance (Vitality) Flexible hybrid working Free parking for the office * Company pension