Patent Paralegal

Our growing Intellectual Property (IP) team at Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP is hiring a detail‑oriented and proactive Senior IP Assistant or Patent Paralegal. The role is based in our Orange County, Del Mar Heights, or San Diego offices and works closely with attorneys, staff, and clients to support a broad range of patent prosecution and portfolio management responsibilities.

$75,000 – $120,000 per year, depending on experience.

• Prepare, file, and prosecute U.S. and foreign patent applications, including provisional, non‑provisional, PCT, and national‑stage filings.
• Manage patent prosecution matters from filing through allowance, issuance, and maintenance.
• Coordinate with foreign counsel on international patent applications and respond to filing and prosecution requirements.
• Draft and file USPTO documents, including responses to Office Actions, Information Disclosure Statements (IDS), amendments, and formalities.
• Correspond with clients regarding USPTO and foreign patent office communications, deadlines, and status updates.
• Maintain an active patent prosecution docket and work closely with supervising attorneys and docketing teams to ensure deadline compliance.
• Assist with post‑issuance matters, including maintenance fee payments, patent term adjustments, and portfolio reporting.
• Support due diligence, patent analytics, and portfolio management projects as needed.
• Track and enter time spent on billable projects and assist with other billable and non‑billable tasks, including coverage for teammate absences.

• 4+ years of law firm experience focused on patent prosecution, preferably in life sciences.
• Strong proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel) and experience with online research tools and IP databases.
• Familiarity with USPTO patent systems such as Patent Center, PAIR, EFS‑Web, and MyUSPTO.
• Experience with foreign patent filings and coordination with international counsel is a plus.

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Significant bonus opportunities for Paralegals and IP Assistants at all experience levels.
• Comprehensive support of professional development and continued education.

Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP is an equal‑opportunity/affirmative‑action employer. We encourage applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We condemn discrimination of applicants by race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.