Under general supervision and according to established policies and procedures, performs administrative duties in support of attorneys in the IP Practice area. Maintains positive contact with client and co-workers, and observes confidentiality in all client and firm matters.

Responsibilities Include

• Open new client matters and maintain electronic files;
• Format, proofread, and file U.S. and PCT patent applications and attend to new electronic filings;
• Prepare formal documents such as Declarations/Powers of Attorney and Assignments;
• Report patent filings status and other documentation updates to clients as necessary;
• Respond to formal Notices such as Notices to File Missing Parts & Notices to File Corrected Application Papers;
• Attend to Assignment Recordations;
• Attend to preparation of Information Disclosure Statements and electronic filing of same;
• Assist with preparation of Office Action responses and attend to electronic filing of same;
• Correspond with foreign agents and clients concerning actions due;
• Maintain attorney dockets and calendars to ensure deadlines are timely met;
• Review official Letters Patents and attend to corrections if necessary;
• Attend to transfer of patent files and maintenance of off-site storage including physical and electronic files; and
• Other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Bachelor’s degree preferred and/or Associates degree with relevant work experience
• Minimum of 3 years patent prosecution experience, preferably in a large law firm or in-house legal department
• Knowledge of U.S. and foreign patent filing and prosecution
• Knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, standard patent docketing and management systems (such as CPI, IPDAS, Patent Bots), and standard document management databases (iManage) preferred
  

Relationship Management

• Must work cooperatively and professionally with team members;
• Must work cooperatively and professionally with foreign agents and clients;
• Must balance workflow and appropriately prioritize;
• Must work with team members to offer solutions as issues arise;
• Must be willing to participate in practice group business development meetings and focus group meetings;
• Must take initiative to complete any requests and inquiries of an administrative nature.
• Must work independently, with minimal supervision, to produce an accurate and well documented work product often under time-sensitive scheduling where multiple projects are required concurrently; and
• Must demonstrate the ability to maintain strict confidentiality of the firm’s and its clients’ information.

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume to Heather Higgins at hhiggins@pierceatwood.com.