IP Assistant - Patent

ABOUT GOWLING WLG

At Gowling WLG, our commitment to excellence begins with our people. As an international law firm with offices in Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, we’re proud to recruit and retain top talent who bring energy, insight, and a singular focus on delivering exceptional experiences – for our clients and each other.

We’re intentional about building a workplace that’s both high‑performing and supportive, ensuring that everyone is empowered to do their best work and reach their full potential. Our culture is grounded in our shared values:
Raise the Bar, Embrace Differences, and Thrive Together. These values shape how we collaborate, lead, and succeed – across teams, time zones, and career paths.

Whether you’re pursuing a role in law or business services, explore what’s possible and make your mark with Gowling WLG.

Our Ottawa office is recruiting for an Intellectual Property Assistant – Patents. In this role, you will work within a team environment, providing administrative support to the patent lawyers and agents.

• Reviewing and entering correspondence from CIPO, foreign patent offices, and foreign associates into the Intellectual Property in‑house database.
• Preparing and forwarding correspondence to CIPO, clients and foreign associates using the Intellectual Property in‑house database templates.
• Reviewing and taking action to resolve errors and discrepancies identified, and documents submitted to or received from CIPO. Resolving issues can include making calls to CIPO, using CIPO’s online feedback form as well as submitting formal written correction requests. Coordinating and communicating updates with the Accounting department i.e. changing clients, processing foreign associate invoices and submitting disbursements.
• Resolving work‑related matters in a professional and timely manner.

• Data‑entry experience.
• Intellectual Property experience is an asset.
• Produce a high quality and quantity of work product, occasionally under tight timelines.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite with strong keyboard and dictation skills.

• 100 % employer‑paid health, dental, and mental health coverage, plus an annual lifestyle spending allowance.
• Benefits coverage for firm members and their dependents from day one.
• 15+ vacation days and hybrid work flexibility.
• Parental leave top‑up for 26 weeks (after 12 months of full‑time employment).
• Group retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Financial protection through short‑ and long‑term disability, life, accident & critical illness insurance.
• Employee & family assistance program, guided CBT, and an internal network of 120+ trained Mental Health First Aid responders.
• Recognition awards, appreciation events, and a supportive, collaborative work culture.
• Perks and preferred pricing programs, referral bonuses and more.

The starting range for this role is $47,000 to $52,000. Starting salary will be determined based on an applicant’s individual skills, competencies and unique qualifications. Gowling WLG employees have the potential to exceed this range based on tenure and performance.

This position is currently vacant and is open to both internal and external candidates. Gowling WLG is recruiting for this role to support ongoing firm needs and team operations.

This employer may use tools within our applicant tracking system that include artificial intelligence–supported features, such as automated candidate matching. These tools do not make hiring decisions; all screening, assessments, and selections are reviewed and completed by human recruiters and hiring managers.

Gowling WLG is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are in need of accommodation or support at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know.