Knowledge Lawyer - Intellectual Property in Birmingham

Knowledge Lawyer - Intellectual Property in Birmingham

Birmingham Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Gowling WLG

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support our IP team with legal expertise, training, and innovative content creation.
  • Company: Join a top-rated firm known for its collaborative and inclusive culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, private medical insurance, and personal development opportunities.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equality and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while advancing your legal career.
  • Qualifications: Strong IP background and excellent communication skills are essential.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Join our Intellectual Property (IP) team as a Knowledge Lawyer, providing legal and technical support to all fee earners in our market‑leading IP team. This is an excellent opportunity for an IP lawyer or current Professional Support Lawyer (PSL) / Knowledge Lawyer to work within a team that places teamwork and excellence at the centre of everything it does.

Main Purpose of the Role

The Knowledge Lawyer role is pivotal to the continued success of the team and will include delivering training and know‑how to the team and clients, writing articles and presentations, developing podcasts, horizon scanning to bring opinions and ideas to the team and helping with business development initiatives. You will work closely with the team's partners on delivering the team's thought leadership programme. You will also be an important sounding board for ideas from the team and assisting fee earners in the delivery of high‑quality advice to clients. Professional Support Lawyer (PSL) / Knowledge Lawyer experience would be preferred but is by no means essential and we are open to speaking to solicitors or barristers who are looking for an alternative career path. We require someone in Birmingham with a minimum of 6 PQE.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • Keeping abreast of all case law and legal developments in the UK and EU pertaining to IP.
  • To undertake research and answer specific legal queries across all areas of IP.
  • To develop and lead weekly training sessions to the team, deciding upon relevant training topics, preparing training material and giving training where appropriate.
  • To ensure fee earners are kept up to date on new legislation, cases and articles of interest whether on an individual, team or group‑wide basis.
  • To prepare and deliver training to client seminars in conjunction with IP fee earners and partners.
  • To write articles and alerts for external publication, including identifying suitable topics, writing articles and liaising with IP Partners.
  • To develop material for podcasts and work with the team to prepare and deliver.
  • To work with the IP partners in relation to horizon scanning to bring opinions and ideas to the team and help with business development initiatives.
  • To work closely with the IP partners on business development initiatives and the team's thought leadership programme.
  • To assist with the group's digital offerings, including writing articles for the firm's website, producing podcasts, tweeting etc.
  • To curate and update the team’s precedent bank and know‑how database.
  • To undertake any other reasonable duties delegated by any IP Partner, senior business support services manager, or senior Professional Support Lawyer / Knowledge Lawyer.
  • To attend relevant market sector training and other external events as appropriate, and from time to time possibly also Court Users’ meetings and other relevant meetings.

About You

  • A strong, general IP background.
  • A thorough knowledge of the Civil Procedure Rules and other procedural guidelines.
  • A thorough knowledge of and ability to navigate and use research tools, both electronic and hard copy.
  • Excellent drafting skills.
  • First‑rate communication skills – both written and oral.
  • Highly self‑motivated, enthusiastic and able to work on own initiative.
  • Capable of working under pressure and time constraints.
  • Able to work with minimal supervision.
  • Positive and flexible.
  • Forward‑thinking.
  • Enjoys training and can engage with people at all levels.
  • Able to work as a member of both a small team and a wider group.

What We Can Offer You

  • The opportunity to work for a firm that has been recognised as one of the best places to work in the UK and has been ranked by Great Place to Work® for 26 consecutive years.
  • Excellent benefits, including:
    • A hybrid approach to office and remote working.
    • 25 days annual leave, with the option to buy up to a week's extra annual leave.
    • Private medical insurance, with the option to add family members.
    • A generous pension allowance.
    • Life assurance covering four times your annual salary.
    • The chance of a three‑month sabbatical every five years.
    • Maternity, paternity and adoption leave schemes.
    • A range of health and wellbeing programmes.
    • State‑of‑the‑art offices in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, with an onsite restaurant.
    • Opportunities to flourish in your role through training and personal development.

Equal Opportunities

Gowling WLG is committed to promoting equality and diversity in the firm and to Equal Opportunities in employment. The firm believes in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins), religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender re‑assignment and gender identity, marriage or civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity and paternity. This also includes any incidents of perceptive or associative discrimination and harassment. At Gowling WLG we seek to attract and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, to create an exciting and rewarding place to work. Our aim is to fulfil everyone's potential and together achieve personal and business goals.

Any offers we make will be conditional on clearance by the SRA, evidence of eligibility to work in the UK and DBS clearance. If you have any queries in relation to this position or would like to see a full job description please contact Nana Panti‑Amoa on Nana.Panti‑Amoa@gowlingwlg.com.

Knowledge Lawyer - Intellectual Property in Birmingham employer: Gowling WLG

Gowling WLG is an exceptional employer, recognised as one of the best places to work in the UK for 26 consecutive years. With a strong commitment to employee development, a hybrid working model, and generous benefits including private medical insurance and a sabbatical every five years, we foster a collaborative and inclusive work culture in our state-of-the-art Birmingham City Centre offices. Join us to thrive in your career while contributing to a market-leading Intellectual Property team that values teamwork and excellence.

Gowling WLG

Contact Details:

Gowling WLG Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Knowledge Lawyer - Intellectual Property in Birmingham

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the IP field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. Attend industry events or webinars to meet new people and make a lasting impression.

Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! Create content related to IP law, whether it's articles, podcasts, or even social media posts. This not only demonstrates your knowledge but also helps you stand out as a thought leader in the field.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on recent case law and legal developments in IP. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the team’s success and share your ideas on training and business development initiatives.

Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our fantastic team at Gowling WLG.

We think you need these skills to ace Knowledge Lawyer - Intellectual Property in Birmingham

Intellectual Property Law
Legal Research
Training and Development
Excellent Drafting Skills
Communication Skills
Business Development
Horizon Scanning

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Knowledge Lawyer role. Highlight your IP experience and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!

Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of training and writing, it’s crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to showcase your drafting abilities. Remember, first impressions count!

Be Yourself:We’re looking for someone who fits well with our team culture. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for IP law and how you enjoy engaging with others in a collaborative environment.

Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quicker. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Gowling WLG

Know Your IP Stuff

Make sure you brush up on the latest case law and legal developments in the UK and EU related to intellectual property. Being able to discuss recent changes or landmark cases will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in the field.

Prepare for Training Scenarios

Since the role involves delivering training sessions, think about how you would approach this. Prepare a mini-presentation on a relevant topic and be ready to discuss your training style. This will demonstrate your ability to engage with others and share knowledge effectively.

Show Off Your Writing Skills

You'll likely need to write articles and alerts, so bring along samples of your writing if possible. Be prepared to talk about your writing process and how you choose topics. This will highlight your communication skills and creativity.

Be a Team Player

This role is all about teamwork, so come ready to discuss how you've collaborated with others in the past. Think of examples where you've contributed to a team project or supported colleagues, as this will show that you can thrive in a collaborative environment.