Patent Paralegal

Position Description

Patent Paralegal Location Sacramento, CA

Stoel Rives LLP has an immediate opening for a Patent Paralegal in any of our Boise, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, or Seattle offices. This position assists attorneys in the delivery of legal services to the firm’s clients and works under the direction of the firm’s lawyers and, in many instances, directly with clients. Responsibilities for client work are directed by an attorney.

Our patent paralegals are a key part of our professional client teams and this position allows a candidate to assume significant responsibility and offers opportunities for professional growth. They are also the first contact point for many of our clients.

Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as strong analytical and organizational skills. Must have the ability to work without direct supervision, think creatively and possess excellent client service orientation with the ability to handle multiple demands/priorities on multiple projects and timely deliver complete work product according to those deadlines. Must also possess the ability to work in a fast-paced changing environment with good problem-solving skills and have the ability to be flexible and adapt.

Must be responsive and maintain a professional manner and demeanor. Must have the ability to resolve problems with a variety of people (including attorneys, staff, and possibly clients) and possess the ability to make sound decisions and show initiative.

Patent Administration:
The TIP Paralegal will receive assignments directly from the practitioners in the TIP department for the following tasks:

• Billable tasks relating to U.S. patent applications, International (PCT) patent applications, and foreign national patent applications; including but not limited to: application filings, formal documents for new applications and follow-on submissions, and communication with foreign associates.
• Handle post-registration changes in patent properties, such as certificates of correction for U.S. patents, drafting reassignments, security interest agreements, and release of interest agreements for U.S. patents and patent applications.
• Maintain, revise and update patent forms and reports.
• Prepare and send basic client correspondence, informing clients of the status of their patents and applications as determined by practice group policy.
• Prepare and send basic foreign associate correspondence, re deadlines, formal documents, and prosecution inquiries.
• Review docketing data and approve all docketed deadlines.
• Assist with investigation, research, searches of U.S. and foreign patent records, and Internet searches; review documents, and summarize findings as directed.
• Handle new client file intakes, and new counsel transfers.
• Prepare cost estimates for filing foreign patent applications and PCT national phase applications utilizing specialized software tool

• Learn the patent and trademark docket software program and assist practitioners in the use of the docket system. Work with docketing staff to prepare patent property reports and activity reports as directed.

• Maintain organization of patent files; search files for documents; prepare, index, and review documents for delivery, storage and destruction.
• Other duties as assigned.

Must possess the following capabilities: strong oral and written communication, ability to learn, attention to detail, initiative, adaptability, dependability, flexibility, client service and teamwork orientation, ability to focus attention for long periods of time, and work without direct supervision in a fast-paced environment. Must feel comfortable with, and have the ability and interest in, delivering an accurate, high-stakes performance on a day to day basis.

Must have strong aptitude for computer software application programs and be able to learn quickly or have working knowledge of applicable software programs for carrying out patent prosecution duties, including word processing, spreadsheets, data bases,…