McCarthy Tétrault is a leading Canadian law firm offering a full suite of legal and business solutions to clients in Canada and around the world. With offices in Toronto, Montréal, Québec City, Calgary and Vancouver, we provide challenging and rewarding career opportunities across the country. Recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for eleven consecutive years and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for fourteenth consecutive years, our culture is guided by The McCarthy Way—our shared approach to working with clients and with each other.

The McCarthy Way is built on four core elements: Excellence, through attracting and developing top talent committed to delivering on our Client Commitment; Collaboration, through seamless, integrated teamwork; Inclusion, through eliminating barriers to belonging and success; and Innovation, through delivering maximum value by embracing leading-edge technologies and approaches. Together, these principles shape how we work, lead, and grow—every day.

We are recruiting for a Legal Assistant, IP to join our team in our Vancouver office. The successful candidate must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience as a legal assistant in an Intellectual Property group, and will be responsible for filing patent, trademark, industrial design, and copyright applications with Canadian Intellectual Property Office, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and other administrative functions. 

Salary: $72,000 - $80,000 annually

The offered salary may vary based on the candidate’s job-specific knowledge, skills, and experience.

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

Documents

• Preparing and filing patent, trademark, industrial design, and copyright applications with Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) via fax, courier, and CIPO online tools, including generation of cover letters, and fax cover sheets.
• Preparing and filing patent and trademark applications with United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) using USPTO online tools.
• Preparing and filing PCT patent and Madrid trademark applications with World Intellectual Property (WIPO) using WIPO online tools.
• Providing comprehensive support throughout the intellectual property prosecution lifecycle, including assisting with the preparation and filing of responses, amendments, examination requests, and other prosecution related documentation.
• Managing the docket for the Partner, including overseeing and reviewing deadlines for other lawyers on the team on behalf of the practice, to ensure all deadlines are met.
• Liaising with foreign agents to file patent and trademark applications, responses, amendments, examination requests, and other prosecution related documentation in other countries, especially the United States and Europe
• Drafting and preparing correspondence for clients, foreign agents and intellectual property offices, including emails, standard letters and memos, working with Word and Excel templates.

File and Time Management

• Managing PATTSY database, ensuring data is entered, maintained, and required follow–up dates are noted.
• Managing electronic files for the IP group and 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 to support effective deadline management.
• Providing general administrative and practice support to the Senior Partner, including assisting with the coordination, preparation, and management of matters in support of the practice.
• Managing the docket for the Senior Partner, including overseeing and reviewing deadlines for other lawyers on the team on behalf of the practice, to ensure all deadlines are met.
• Processing and tracking invoices, assisting with supplier setup, and liaising with the billing team on invoice related matters
• Supporting the training of team members on IP practice procedures, internal systems and workflows.
• Liaising with patent and trademark offices regarding filings, official correspondence, and procedural matters.

As our ideal candidate, you will have:

• Minimum 3 years experience as a Legal Assistant in Intellectual Property. In-depth knowledge of patents required – preferably within Canada, the United States and Europe. Trademark experience would also be as asset.
• Legal Assistant diploma or college certificate in office or business administration or equivalent.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality and capacity to handle extremely sensitive information.
• Exceptional communication (written/spoken) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide excellent and timely service to clients and colleagues by understanding their needs and using available resources.
• Ability to work effectively with others by being flexible, respectful, communicating clearly, and proactively sharing knowledge and offering assistance.
• Demonstrates relevant expertise, critical thinking skills and initiative to consistently deliver quality work.
• Walks the talk, respects individual differences, and supports the Firm’s interests

Why Join McCarthy Tétrault – Key Benefits
As a member of the McCarthy Tétrault team, you will have access to a comprehensive and competitive rewards package designed to support your professional and personal well-being:

• Outstanding benefits from day one, including insurance premiums paid by the Firm and wellness and technology reimbursements.
• Comprehensive wellbeing support, including access to Dialogue for confidential mental health support, virtual healthcare assistance, and proactive wellness resources for you.
• Competitive compensation, paid overtime and generous time off, including a day off to volunteer and a day off for your birthday.
• Commitment to learning and growth, with ongoing professional development opportunities for people at all levels.
• Strong community involvement and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• A supportive, collaborative culture that values contribution, accountability and shared success across legal and business teams.

How to Apply: 

We encourage external candidates to apply online and internal applicants must apply directly through our internal careers portal on Espresso. We look forward to receiving your application.

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.