Legal Assistant; Patent Prosecution

Legal Assistant (Patent Prosecution)

Banner Witcoff is a leader in intellectual property law for 100 years. We are the trusted IP partner of choice for organizations around the world. We provide sound legal guidance and inventive IP solutions to power business for start‑ups, Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between.

As a Legal Assistant, you will be part of a dynamic każde team of professionals working directly with attorneys and clients to support Banner Witcoff’s patent prosecution practice. We pride ourselves on our relentless attention to detail and place an immense value on providing exceptional service, both internally and externally. We work as individuals, as team members, and as part of a growing and innovative law firm.

We are seeking a full‑time patent prosecution Legal Assistant to join our firm and become an integral part of our team.

• High school diploma
• Minimum of 5 years of patent prosecution experience
• Experience filing with USPTO
• Knowledge of USPTO rules and practices, including docketing, Patent Center, public/private PAIR, national stage prosecution and formality requirements
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite
• IP Litigation and foreign patent prosecution experience is a plus
• Experience with IPDAS software
• Proven proofreading and editing skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment
• Strong typing, organizational, written and oral communication skills
• Must be detail‑oriented and able to balance multiple tasks with proven time management skills

• Prepare new applications and related documents for filing with USPTO
• Prepare responses and/or amendments to Office Actions
• Prepare formal documents, obtain appropriate signatures, and follow‑up as needed
• Draft routine correspondence and prep documents and forms for attorney review
• Retrieve information from USPTO website and other Internet research
• File Information Disclosure Statements (IDS), maintain citation records for related families as needed
• Maintain and respond to docket and stat bar items on a daily basis
• Finalize and distribute attorney‑client privileged and confidential correspondence
• Prepare and forward client reporting letters/emails
• Perform conflict checks and open new matter numbers for clients
• Assist attorneys with time entries, expense reports, and invoice approvals
• Schedule meetings, including webinars, teleconපාferences and video conferences, and coordinate meeting space and catering
• Maintain electronic files for current caseloads
• Assist activation attorneys with other administrative tasks or special projects as needed

This is a hybrid role, with a blend of remote and in‑office work. The employee will be required to work in the office at least two days per week, or more, depending on business needs and/or work assignments. In‑office specific duties include managing mail, copying, face‑to‑face meetings, greeting clients and visitors, team collaborative projects, as well as company events.

Banner Witcoff offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), a 35‑hour workweek, business‑casual attire, and a friendly office environment. The salary range for this role is $60,000 to $75,000 annually and is provably non‑exempt. This range is only applicable for jobs performed in Chicago, IL. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.

An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on numerous factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographical location, and business or organizational needs. This job is also eligible for an annual merit increase and bonus pay.

Banner Witcoff is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. The Firm will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin kanjani sexual orientation, sex, pregnancy, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, legal citizenship or any other status protected by law. функций для