As the new year stretches before us, January is a great time to take stock of your career and set your intentions for the coming months.

Trade mark paralegals and administrators continue to gain recognition and responsibilities as firms understand the client and attorney value delivered by experts in the processes, information analysis, communication, problem-solving, and management needed to successfully protect and defend IP rights.

As a result, building, maintaining, and refining these skills is important. So, too, is finding a community to share your experiences and ambitions with as you pursue a rewarding, enjoyable career. Fortunately, 2026 offers a wealth of opportunities for training and connecting with your peers. We’ve gathered key resources and events you should consider adding to your personal development agenda this year.

Our number one piece of advice is: always be learning. Today’s IP career landscape is changing fast. AI adoption, regulatory changes, and economic uncertainty mean that the best “skills” you can seek to develop are flexibility and open-mindedness, with a willingness to learn sitting at the heart of your personal practice. 

Training and certification

Whether you are relatively new to your role, or seeking to build on your existing skills, there are accredited certifications that will take you to the next level. Courses designed by and for trade mark paralegals are the mot useful, as they take technical information and make it relevant to your role.

INTA Trademark Administrator Certification Course –  the International Trademark Association offers beginner and intermediate trademark administrator certificates. The advantage of these courses is that they are developed by the INTA certification committee, which is composed of highly experienced trade mark administrators. In fact, the course contributor list reads like a “who’s who” of the TMA world! As a result, they are packed with practical content and guidance that’s immediately relevant to your role. The recently launched intermediate course is getting a lot of praise, with one graduate commenting: “It is great course and really well done. I have been recommending it to all the TMAs that I know, as well as first year attorneys.”

CITMA Paralegal Course – for UK paralegals and administrators, the CITMA paralegal course is the gold standard. It takes a holistic approach to all the skills paralegals need and balances confidence-building with valuable technical knowledge. Successful graduates are eligible to apply for CITMA paralegal membership, which opens up a wealth of ongoing CPD opportunities, including regular webinars, including a great one coming up in March looking at US trade mark practice.

Events

In-person events offer a great opportunity to build your network. From the big global extravaganza of the INTA annual meeting – held this year in London – to smaller, locally focused gatherings such as the UK’s CITMA paralegal conference and the Trade Mark Administrator and Practitioners (TMAP) meeting in the US. Events like these often offer guidance on justifying your attendance, so if you are wondering how to make your case to your manager, check out their websites.

Also, look out for events organised by your local trade mark paralegal association. You’ll meet like-minded professionals and get regional expertise and insight. There’s NAIPA in Norway, DAIPA in Denmark, FAIPA in Finland, and BELAIPA in Belgium, to name just a few. Check out our advice on the benefits of joining a local trade mark paralegal association.

Podcasts

If you want to fit your learning around your lifestyle, podcasts are a great resource. Pop one on while you’re relaxing, exercising, or doing odd jobs, and you’ll absorb knowledge without even realising it. Good places to start include: 

INTA Brand & New – recent episodes covered Certifying human music in the age of AI and The Wild West of Web3

IP Fridays – industry veteran Rolf Claessen explores the IP issues of the day in this monthly podcast

IP Kitchen – a new series from HGF exploring IP in the food and drink industry

Fashionably IP – Hot topics from the world of fashion and IP

Mentor support

Make 2026 the year you add to your personal support network by working with a mentor. Gaining a sounding board from a more experienced industry professional can be invaluable as you pursue career development. From work and study recommendations to sharing experiences, someone who has been in your position can provide perspectives that friends and family cannot. Mentors can help you set goals, prioritise, identify your skills and gaps, and make important career decisions.

In the UK, CITMA has a platform for connecting mentors to mentees and Adapt.legal runs a mentorship program for graduates and early career professionals from the US, UK, and Europe. INTA has just announced a global mentoring programme for INTA members, which runs on a platform that matches mentors with mentees based on skills, interests and goals.

However, you don’t need to take a formal approach. Mentoring is a rewarding experience, and many experienced trade mark paralegals are willing to undertake informal mentoring if asked.

Read more about the benefits of having a mentor.

Technology training

In today’s workplace, being competent and confident with technology is essential. It also helps to have an interest in what’s coming down the line in terms of workflow enhancements and AI applications.

Your IP management software provider should offer regular training and updates, so you’re always getting the most from the features on offer. WebTMS offers monthly webinars led by our friendly team, who are always happy to tackle any challenges you may be experiencing. If you use WebTMS and want us to cover a particular topic, contact our support team.

On the subject of AI, the CITMA AI committee has produced a great guide looking at the impact of AI on IP practice and has a knowledge hub that gathers all its AI-related content together.