Carpmaels & Ransford, Qualified/Part Qualified Patent Attorney - Pharmaceuticals

Carpmaels and SPC Litigation Firm of the Year at the LMG Life Sciences Awards 2025 EMEA. We invite talented and passionate people with creative thinking to join us. Working collaboratively, we share knowledge across teams in a friendly, sociable environment. Our clients trust us with their most complex and important cases, so we solve challenging problems with real world impact. We are deeply committed to diversity and inclusion. Through partnerships with IP Inclusive, Stonewall and the Business in the Community via the Race at Work Charter, we ensure all our people feel supported and empowered to be themselves. We value a healthy work/life balance and offer wellbeing events, clubs, social activities and community partnerships with the Social Mobility Foundation and Holborn Community Association.

The Chemistry team is commercially focused and supports leading pharmaceutical and chemical companies. We protect research on groundbreaking therapeutics and technologies across batteries, nanotechnology, cleantech, consumer products and nutraceuticals. Our focus includes contentious work: representing clients in multi‑party oppositions at the European Patent Office, national litigation in the UK and Europe and ground‑breaking work at the Unified Patent Court. You will contribute to contentious work from day one.

We have ongoing opportunities for exceptional part‑qualified or qualified patent attorneys to join our Chemistry team, with a strong focus on pharmaceuticals. Candidates who think strategically, work collaboratively and have technical excellence in delivering first‑class service are encouraged to apply. Suitable candidates will ideally have:

• Part‑qualification in the UK and EQE exams through to 3 years of post‑qualification experience.
• Management of chemical and/or pharmaceutical work.
• Experience of drafting, filing and prosecuting EPO and PCT applications.
• Understanding of EPO opposition and appeal procedure, and preferably some experience of contentious oral proceedings.
• Excellent academic background in organic chemistry or pharmaceutical subject matter.
• Sense of commerciality and understanding of IP‑focused client priorities.
• Understanding of how IP and regulatory data protection impact the life cycle of a pharmaceutical product.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English and strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Innate interest in business and the IP profession.
• Passion and aptitude for problem‑solving.
• Keen eye for detail.
• Interest in coaching, guiding and mentoring trainees.

Successful candidates will benefit from:

• A variety of interesting work for major international chemical and pharmaceutical companies, including EPO opposition and appeal work.
• A significant amount of opposition, appeal and SPC matters.
• Involvement in cases that shape the law before Technical Boards of Appeal, the Enlarged Board of Appeal and/or the Court of Justice of the European Union.
• A collaborative and sociable team‑based working environment, with a healthy approach to work‑life balance.
• A meritocratic and autonomous culture, responsible for your own case‑load and working with multiple partners.
• Sophisticated knowledge management to keep up with case law developments, and a collegiate approach to knowledge sharing.
• Exceptional training for UK and EQE qualifications and beyond.
• The opportunity to work across multiple practice groups, subject to project requirements and area of expertise.
• An excellent remuneration and benefits package.
• A range of sports, clubs and charity initiatives sponsored by the firm.

We are proud of our inclusive culture where individual differences are celebrated and committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees and job applicants. We do not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, pregnancy and maternity, socio‑economic background or any characteristic protected by law. Our approach is embodied in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, as well as our diversity and inclusion programmes.

Please note that we do not accept speculative CVs from recruitment consultants unless specifically requested. Please mention IP Careers when applying to Carpmaels.