About us

Schlich is a boutique firm of European Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys based in Littlehampton. Established in 2004 by our founder George Schlich, we now comprise 16 attorneys (including 4 trainees), 10 support staff and 2 accountants split across 2 offices.

We offer a comprehensive package of staff benefits, including:

• Private healthcare and personalised eye care scheme.
• Company pension scheme.
• Hotel benefit.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and bereavement leave packages.
• Annual Summer and Christmas staff parties.
• One paid volunteer day per year.

Please note: Schlich operates within Intellectual Property law, not conveyancing, real estate or other areas of property law. Applicants seeking experience or qualification in conveyancing or general legal practice (e.g. training to become a solicitor) will not be considered for this position.

About the role

We are seeking a candidate with prior experience to join our team of Legal and Formalities Secretaries.

This role will be Monday-Friday, 9-5pm, based in one of our Littlehampton offices.

Remote working may be offered after completion of a satisfactory probation and training period, but this will be capped at 2 days a week (unless additional flexibility is required as a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act).

Key responsibilities:

• Provide administrative support for attorneys including managing schedules and appointments, processing incoming post and assistance with task lists and case deadlines.
• Audio typing/standard letter writing.
• Directing calls and welcoming clients and visitors.
• Preparing and filing applications for various forms of Intellectual Property.
• Maintenance of organised filing systems for both electronic and paper documents.
• Small finance tasks such as invoicing and preparation of cost estimates.
• General office duties such as photocopying, scanning and data entry.
• Assisting with cover for other support roles.
• Attending and contributing to support meetings.
• Occasional project work e.g. travel/event planning, assistance with opposition preparation, website/social media work, etc.

About you

 

The ideal candidate must possess the following:

• Prior experience working within IP formalities or secretarial support.
• Proficiency in MS office systems (Word, Excel and/or Outlook).
• Professional telephone manner.
• Excellent attention to detail and written communication.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
• Experience completing simple finance tasks or finance related data entry.
• Experience managing diaries / supporting legal professionals.
• GCSE in English and Maths.
• Eligibility to work in the UK.
• Live within a commutable distance (no more than one hour from Littlehampton).

In addition; though not essential, the following would be desirable:

• Experience using Equinox or a similar Intellectual Property data management system.
• Experience with audio-typing / transcription.
• Possession of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys’ (CIPA) Introductory Patent Paralegal Course (IPPC) and/or the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys’ (CITMA) Trade Mark Paralegal Course qualifications.

If not already held, support and training (both in-house and externally) will be provided to achieve the above-mentioned qualifications.

We are an equal opportunities employer and a signatory of IP Inclusive’s EDI Charter. While we are only able to consider applicants who are eligible to work in the UK, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age.

How to apply

Please send your CV and accompanying cover letter (applicants who do not submit a cover letter will not be considered) to Keira Denton at keira.denton@schlich.co.uk.

Please include any requests for reasonable adjustments you require (for the application, interview, and/or induction process) within your cover letter.