IP Litigation Paralegal and Patent Assistant

IP Litigation Paralegal and Patent Assistant

Shumaker is seeking an experienced IP Litigation Paralegal/Patent Assistant for its Charlotte office. This hire will assist attorneys on our Intellectual Property Litigation team with preparing, filing, and maintaining litigation documents of all types. They will be responsible for administering multiple deadline‑sensitive case‑management duties, principally in Federal Court, and tracking project deadlines, identifying and applying various guidelines of differing jurisdictions. This position will also assist patent attorneys and patent agents with high‑volume patent prosecution end‑to‑end from preparation to maintenance, including various domestic and international filings, correspondence with agents, clients, and inventors, and related tasks.

Our ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in Federal IP litigation and patent prosecution practice, along with experience searching in PACER and filing using Federal Court ECF.

The IP Litigation Paralegal/Patent Assistant is an hourly non‑exempt position and will work full time from our Charlotte, North Carolina office.

• Prepare deposition summaries and initial drafts of various pleadings
• Draft, proofread, send, file and manage correspondence internally and externally, as well as memos, contracts, forms, and other relevant documents
• Prepare and file Information Disclosure Statements, U.S. patent applications and various types of responses to Office Actions
• Obtain and index all documents provided by the client relative to the litigation, including chronology of documents (occasional e‑discovery)
• Schedule appointments with expert witnesses, prepare draft letters to experts, and forward materials for their review
• Schedule and manage all appointments and contact lists as necessary
• Conduct legal, jury verdict and expert witness research obtaining case law, shephardizing and cite checking cases from briefs
• Prepare and mark exhibits for depositions and/or trials
• Utilize litigation support software to assist attorneys on arbitration/trial exhibits and potential testimony
• Attend arbitration/trial with the attorney as needed
• Conduct pre‑trial check of jury questionnaires and jury lists
• Manage attorney dockets provided by docketing team to meet all deadlines and coordinate with attorneys on non‑patent IP matters
• Correspond and provide updates to foreign associate network for non‑U.S. patent matters
• Coordinate with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office staff to resolve issues related to patent prosecution
• Perform Post‑Allowance diligence, pay patent issue fees and close files

• At least 5+ years of experience with Federal IP litigation and patent prosecution practice
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree preferred
• Experience searching in PACER and filing using Federal Court ECF
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of United States patent prosecution processes
• Experience filling PCT patent applications
• Strong understanding of litigation terms and technological skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point
• Project and case management skills including a strong aptitude for managing and prioritizing multiple projects and deadlines
• Superior research, organizational and verbal and written communication skills

We’re not just another law firm – we’re something different. At Shumaker, our professional staff are the backbone of our success, providing the essential support that enables our firm to thrive. From operations and finance to marketing and technology, our team members enjoy a collaborative, people‑first culture where their contributions truly make an impact. As one of the 200 largest law firms in the United States, we’re looking for talented professionals who want to grow their careers and be part of a firm that values dedication, teamwork, and innovation.

• Sitting frequently, six out of eight hours per day. Sitting position static for up to one‑half hour at a time.
• Lifting and carrying up to 10 pounds occasionally, up to one hour per day.
• Bending and stooping occasionally, up to one‑half hour per day.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access to employment opportunities. If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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