What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal - Intellectual Property position at Avient Corporation?
Job Summary
Avient is seeking an experienced Paralegal, Intellectual Property to join the company's collegial legal department and perform a range of activities supporting the IP team's global operations including preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of patents and trademarks for Avient's businesses worldwide. This position requires a self-confident intellectual property legal professional, especially adept at patent prosecution procedures and requirements, who is also well-organized, responsive, flexible, resourceful, and enthusiastic.
Reporting to the Assistant General Counsel, Intellectual Property, this position is based at Avient's global headquarters located in Avon Lake, Ohio.
Essential Functions
* Manages incoming correspondence from USPTO, WIPO, law firms / local agents worldwide, external service providers, internal stakeholders, etc., and determines appropriate actions
* Dockets deadlines for patent and trademark activities worldwide using Avient's IP database and docketing system (FoundationIP)
* Creates and updates records in relevant databases and systems (e.g., FoundationIP, SharePoint, network folders, etc.)
* Prepares forms and other documents (e.g., inventor assignments, powers of attorney, application data sheets, PCT requests, information disclosure statements, etc.)
* Coordinates with IP attorneys to take appropriate actions by deadlines
* Corresponds with law firms / local agents worldwide to provide instructions, etc.
* Communicates with internal stakeholders to request input or decisions, obtain signatures, provide matter updates, etc.
* Pays maintenance fees for US patents and manages payment of foreign patent annuities and trademark renewals through external service providers
* Administers Avient's USPTO deposit account
* Helps to create vendor profiles, process invoices, and track costs using vendor payment platforms such as Ariba, Coupa, etc.
* Performs other projects / duties as assigned
Education and Experience
* High school diploma or GED; paralegal certificate and/or associate's degree and/or bachelor's degree is advantageous
* Required patent experience: At least 8-10 years of recent experience in a law firm or corporate in-house setting involving docketing and support responsibilities for patent preparation, filing, and prosecution (directly) in USPTO and WIPO (PCT) and (indirectly via local agents) outside US such as Europe (EPO), China, India, etc.
* Preferred trademark experience: At least 1-3 years of experience in a law firm or corporate in-house setting involving docketing and support responsibilities for trademark filings and registration renewals (directly) in USPTO and WIPO (Madrid Protocol)
Additional Qualifications
* Notary public is strongly preferred
* Solid working knowledge of forms, documentation, requirements, and procedures for patent and trademark filings in USPTO and worldwide
* Ability to administer and use IP database and docketing systems (familiarity with FoundationIP is advantageous)
* Capable of using patent and trademark office websites such as uspto.gov to find forms, research rules and procedures, check status of applications, record assignments, pay maintenance fees, etc., and publicly available patent databases such as Espacenet to search for and obtain copies of patent publications, confirm family details, etc.
* Familiar with requesting apostilles, authentications, legalizations, etc.
* Experience with (or willingness to learn) collaboration platforms such as SharePoint; electronic signature platforms such as Adobe Sign and DocuSign; and vendor payment platforms such as Ariba and Coupa
* Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Exceptional professionalism and ownership of responsibilities reflected in consistency and quality of work product, outstanding attention to detail, and proactive approach to issue spotting and problem solving
* High levels of responsiveness and independent judgment to plan and prioritize daily activities and take appropriate actions with minimal supervision
* Flexible, resourceful, well-organized, and able to work in a fast-paced organization where multitasking is essential
* Good interpersonal skills to build and maintain trusted relationships with colleagues and diverse stakeholders and confidently navigate a complex global organization
* Positive, enthusiastic, growth mindset, proactive, and collegial
Competencies
Each position at Avient focuses on eight Core Competencies as a Leader of Self. Additionally, management positions focus on Leadership Competencies as a Leader of Others and/or a Leader of the Business. These competencies are designed to drive behavior that will ultimately help our associates excel at their current roles, while supporting individual and career development.
Why Avient
Avient Corporation is a world-class sustainable organization built on innovation, collaboration, and employee development. We are committed to providing a supportive and dynamic work environment where our diverse associates can grow and succeed, as well positively impacting our planet and the communities we serve. Our Great Place to Work culture, values, and benefits make Avient an employer of choice for top talent.
Avient Corporation provides specialized and sustainable material solutions that transform customer challenges into opportunities, bringing new products to life for a better world. Examples include:
* Dyneema, the world's strongest fiber, enables unmatched levels of performance and protection for end-use applications, including ballistic personal protection, marine and sustainable infrastructure and outdoor sports
* Unique technologies that improve the recyclability of products and enable recycled content to be incorporated, thus advancing a more circular economy
* Light-weighting solutions that replace heavier traditional materials like metal, glass and wood, which can improve fuel efficiency in all modes of transportation and reduce carbon footprint
* Sustainable infrastructure solutions that increase energy efficiency, renewable energy, natural resource conservation and fiber optic / 5G network accessibility
Avient employs approximately 10,000 associates and is certified ACC Responsible Care, a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and certified Great Place to Work. For more information, visit .
At Avient, we believe diversity of ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person's qualifications, abilities, experience and performance.
Avient Corporation is a drug free workplace. Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran's status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law.
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PolyOne is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer and provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status, or other legally protected classification in the state in which a person is seeking employment. PolyOne will use E-Verify to ensure employment eligibility of newly hired employees where required.
