Legal Assistant (Intellectual Property)

Overview

We are seeking an Assistant (Intellectual Property) to provide executive legal assistance to attorneys in the daily operation of the Intellectual Property (IP) law department by providing quality work product for clients.  In this role, you will assist the department in US and foreign patent prosecution filings by fulfilling executive assistant duties and the performance of complex secretarial and clerical tasks to produce documents and meet requirements of the patent prosecution process, using the firm standard word processing and other applicable software.

Responsibilities

• Open new client and client-matters, communicates relevant bar dates, priority information, working attorney and paralegal information to Docketing
• Create and update FLIP Form Data Records
• Enter client instructions into the IP Client Instruction Database and maintains the database with instructions that include billing instructions, task codes, timekeeper requirements, client reporting preferences, docketing preferences, foreign associate preferences, client portal information and relevant instructions.
• Assist with preparation of shell documents and edits the following documents for filing:  New applications, amendments & responses and other USPTO filing documents.
• Correspond with clients regarding draft patent applications, draft responses to substantive office actions and other items between the attorneys and clients.
• Perform significant support work relating to patents that includes: Monitoring attorney and agent dockets; preparing client docket reports; working with attorneys, clients and paralegals on reminders to avoid past due filings; performing US Status Checks and entering into the docket relevant information; and, a lengthy list of other technical items that are required of all IP assistants.
• Provide administrative support work that is done by all assistants for attorneys with busy practices

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; Associates Degree or Bachelor's Degree in a related field preferred
• Prior experience working in a legal setting and/or IP strongly preferred
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel
• Excellent typing ability of at least 65 words per minute