Intellectual Property Practice Assistant

Responsibilities

• Assume responsibility for ensuring efficient daily administrative tasks and support to attorneys and patent agents in the Intellectual Property Practice Section.
• Create shells for Office Action responses, prepare and electronically file responses, and assist with other USPTO submissions and documents.
• Review timekeeper docket reports and maintain docket notes to keep IP timekeepers abreast of upcoming deadlines and status.
• Report communications from the USPTO to attorneys and clients and ensure prompt responses to inquiries.
• Research, generate, and update case status reports and IP schedules for clients, attorneys, and other IP timekeepers.
• Access and research a variety of patent databases.
• Open new matters, review and edit client bills, screen calls and emails, process expense reports, submit check requests, process invoices, handle travel arrangements, and maintain electronic files.
• Assist with secretarial coverage when IP legal secretaries are unexpectedly out or on vacation.
• Demonstrate mastery of the Firm’s Microsoft Office system by producing a variety of documents from various source materials.
• Compose routine and non‑routine correspondence for attorney review as requested.
• Provide administrative support by ensuring organization of workflow, files, and record‑keeping, including preparation of timesheets and client bills, expense reports, and processing of incoming/outgoing mail and overnight deliveries.
• Assist in organizing work schedule by maintaining calendar, scheduling appointments, and coordinating travel arrangements.

• 5+ years of legal secretarial experience in patent prosecution.
• In-depth knowledge of USPTO rules and regulations and filing procedures for all aspects of U.S. patent prosecution and international prosecution.
• Tech savvy with advanced‑level MS Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat skills required.