Patent Legal Secretary Job Description

'Patent is a set of special rights given by the government, which prevent others from using, selling, or importing the product or invention for 20 years of nonrenewable time. Patent Legal Secretaries, are professionals assisting patent attorneys in preparing/prosecuting patent applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and foreign patent offices. They create, organize and maintain client files, interact with clients, and prepare drafts for attorney\\\\\\\'s review by working in a patent law firm or in-house patent department. Some of the main duties include preparing submissions and documents for filing with the USPTO, receiving and screening letters and/or visitors as well as phone calls, and reviewing incoming mail/email. Patent Legal Secretaries, also perform certain secretarial duties such as entering attorney\\\\\\\'s time, maintaining calendar and diary for attorney, meeting clients, and building relationships with clients. They may also perform administration work such as preparation of expense reports, and coordination of meetings and refreshment needs, faxes and photocopies. B.A./B.S. degree or High School graduation or individuals with GED are suitable for legal secretarial jobs. Knowledge of USPTO requirements and rules/fees schedule is important. A patent legal secretary should have familiarity with patent prosecution procedures. Good drafting and organizational skills are always needed. Proficiency with various computer programs such as PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook and good typing skills are basic requirements.


Here are a few sample patent legal secretary job descriptions:

Patent Legal Secretary/Legal Assistant

The candidate will provide secretarial support to attorneys and patent agents related to the patent prosecution process including: Preparing routine correspondence, reading and routing mail, file maintenance, and screening attorney's incoming telephone calls; Preparing applications, responses and other patent prosecution documents for filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and reporting filings to clients; Monitoring, processing and satisfying attorney's dockets; Performing research and compiling data as requested by attorneys; and Other duties as assigned. Should have 4+ years of patent prosecution secretarial experience with domestic patent prosecution in a law firm environment. Foreign patent prosecution experience including preparing and filing PCT applications is a strong plus. Must have thorough knowledge of USPTO rules and practices, including docketing, public/private PAIR, national stage prosecution and formality requirements.

Patent Legal Secretary

The candidate's duties : Preparing, filing and prosecution of foreign and United States patent applications (provisional, regular, divisional, continuation, continuation-in-part, and US national phase) in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); and other miscellaneous filings in connection with United States applications and patents; Compile correspondence, preparation and updating of reports and presentations Phone coverage and routing of voice mail messages; Calendar management and anticipate calendar conflicts; proactively manage schedule changes Liaises with cross-department and cross-divisional colleagues Arranges all aspects domestic and international travel as appropriate Travel and expense report creation in XMS; Will interact with management and other team leaders in support of department activities. Should have Bachelor Degree is preferred but related patent or trademark experience will be given substantial consideration. Should have 2-5 years of relevant legal secretarial or legal administrative experience. Must be independent, pro-active, self-motivated with strong organizational, interpersonal and communications skills both written and verbal. Excellent communications skills with supervisor, colleagues, local and global administrative staff and key contacts internal and external to the company. Demonstrated proficiency with Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.  

Patent Legal Secretary Or Litigation

The candidate should have some IP / Patent experience. Must have heavy litigation experience with patent being a plus. Patent or Litigation experience as a legal secretary is a must. 65 typing Microsoft Word Dictaphone is a plus.

Patent Legal Secretary

The candidate must have interaction with Matter Opening, Docketing, USPTO E-Filing, File Room, Accounting, Portfolio Reporting and Maintenance Fees and Foreign Annuities. General Document Generation and Editing for Preparing USPTO Filings, Client Correspondence and Internal Forms. Must have 5+ years of relevant IP experience and strong software skills.

Temporary Patent Legal Secretary

The candidate should have 5+ years of patent prosecution administrative experience. Strong technical and administrative skills required, including MS Office Suite. Testing required. Provide back-up assistance to three other lawyers in the group. Excellent communication skills and polished presentation.

Patent Secretary

The candidate should have 2+years of Patent Prosecution experience. Must have recent IP experience and must have excellent technical skills including MS Word. Advanced MS Office skills is required. Experience filing with the USPTO is required. Excellent oral and written communication skills is required.

Patent Legal Secretary

The candidate will: Assist in orienting new Timekeepers to Firm administrative procedures and patent prosecution intricacies. Assist Timekeepers with managing Firm business, and prepare correspondence, routine letters, memos, forms and other prosecution documents. Maintain a current knowledge of U.S. and foreign rules relating to intellectual property as well as Firm procedures.'