Paralegal - Patent/IP

Summary

The Patent Paralegal, under the direction of a supervising attorney, will assist in the administration of patent filings and registrations, and provide limited backup coverage for the administration of trademarks subject to experience, if available. Primary responsibilities will be to assist the Stinson LLP Patent team by performing U.S., foreign, and PCT filings; completing patent forms; preparing responses on formalities; recording patent assignments; drafting and sending email notices to clients; and performing other tasks as necessary relating to prosecution of global patent portfolios for clients. The paralegal will interact regularly with Firm attorneys and other members of the IP Group, as well as clients, counsel and outside vendor personnel.

Please submit your application by no later than 45 days following the posted date. Applications received after this date may not be considered.

Required Education & Experience

• Completion of either of the following:
  
  
  
  • (a) Bachelor's degree or (b) Associate's degree and minimum of 1 year law firm experience in a Paralegal capacity, or 2 to 5 years of complex law-related experience under the supervision of an Attorney or Senior Paralegal;
  • AND, in addition to (b), completion of an educational program for Paralegals approved by the American Bar Association ("ABA") or offered by an accredited institution which follows ABA guidelines for Paralegal programs.
  
  
  
  
• Docketing management system experience such as CPI, CPA or PATTSY.
• Patent prosecution experience required.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Law Firm experience preferred.
• Trademark prosecution experience a plus.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Paralegal (75%)
  
  
  
  • Administer, maintain, and oversee entries into the patent database containing Firm client registrations and deadlines.
  • Review incoming and outgoing communications (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), client, in-house attorney, foreign associate and annuity service).
  • Draft correspondence to the USPTO, client, foreign associate and annuity service.
  • Administer patent application filings.
  • Process formal filing requirements for U.S. and foreign patent applications (translation, Information Disclosure Statements, Power of Attorney, Assignment, certified document, etc.).
  • Request examination for foreign patent applications.
  • Continuously monitor all deadlines and prepare and send notices to clients regarding upcoming deadlines and requirements.
  • Correspond with foreign associates regarding new filings, prosecution and related deadlines, and billings.
  • Prepare formal papers, correspond with clients to obtain signatures and coordinate all levels of legalization for foreign matters when required.
  • Coordinate file intake and matter entry in tracking system for new clients.
  • Anticipate attorney and client needs for specific projects.
  • Delegate effectively and as appropriate with other Paralegals or Legal Administrative Assistants.
  • Design, recommend, and implement new processes and procedures to increase group efficiency.
  • Special projects, as needed.
  • Act as a liaison among various internal departments as well as with outside agencies.
  • Meet billable hour requirement of 1550 per year.
  
  
  
  
• General and Administrative (25%)
  
  
  
  • Time entry, scanning, e-mailing, etc.
  • Assist in Firm marketing for practice area.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  
  
  

Competencies

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Highly professional with a strong customer service orientation, commitment to meeting deadlines, and ability to multitask in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Strong professional, independent thinking skills with strength in problem solving and the ability to offer constructive opinions and creative solutions.
• A team player who motivates and educates other team members.
• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the position.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Travel

Minimal travel is expected for this position.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. While performing the responsibilities of the position, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the person in this position will encounter. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in a professional, fast-paced office environment that may require additional hours to complete work.

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. If an employee is unable to perform the essential functions of the position, Stinson LLP will evaluate whether a reasonable accommodation can be made to enable the employee to perform the described essential functions of the position. Generally, due to the nature of this office position, while performing the responsibilities of the position, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.

EEO Statement

Stinson LLP is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, disabled, and other diverse candidates to apply to be considered for open positions. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package. We conduct criminal background checks on all individuals offered employment. Information gathered through applicant voluntary self-identification will be used for statistical reporting and to measure the effectiveness of our EEO outreach efforts. All information is requested on a voluntary basis and will be kept confidential. We will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Benefits & Compensation

At Stinson LLP, we are committed to the success of our employees. We are equally committed to providing competitive, affordable health and wellness benefits to help take care of yourself and your family, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision health plans

• Medical savings accounts
• Firm-provided Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Wellness Program, and Caregiving Support Concierge Services
• Employer-paid life insurance and AD&D
• Short- and long-term disability benefits
• Generous paid time off for holidays, vacation, bereavement, jury duty, and paid leave for sick and safe time, parental, and military
• Excellent work-life programs, including service bonuses, back-up child, elder, and pet care, and an employee discount program

The salary range for this role is $70,000 - $90,000. The salary range for this position is based on a variety of factors, including experience, skills, qualifications, and location. The range is provided as an initial approximation at the time of posting and may vary based on the individual's unique qualifications and experience.