Legal Staff Paralegal in Boston, MA

Law Firm

Boston, MA

Legal Staff Paralegal in Boston, MA

Legal Staff

1-2 yrs required

No

**Job Title: Biotech Patent Paralegal Level I**

**Job Responsibilities:**
The Biotech Patent Paralegal Level I is responsible for supporting the Biotech, Pharmaceutical, and Chemical Practice Groups at a law firm. Key responsibilities include:
- Conducting basic literature searches to aid in patent application processes.
- Analyzing and preparing DNA and amino acid sequence listings for patent application filings.
- Converting drawings to text in patent application specifications and preparing drawings for draftsmen, including proofreading formal drawings for patent applications.
- Preparing case charts, docket reports, and descriptions of scientific data for patent applications.
- Assisting with setting up patent application documents and filing Information Disclosure Statements with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
- Preparing disclosures of information for submission with foreign patent offices and coordinating with foreign associates.
- Reviewing Office Actions from . and foreign patent offices for cited references.
- Reviewing patent files for prior art before issue fee payment and upon intake into the firm.
- Organizing references in connection with patent portfolios into prior art databases and maintaining these databases.
- Compiling, populating, and maintaining an electronic archive of prior art.
- Corresponding with clients and working with the firm's library department to gather materials needed for duty of disclosure.
- Managing attorney and client dockets related to the duty of disclosure in . and foreign jurisdictions and regularly meeting with attorneys regarding these matters.
- Developing and maintaining knowledge of patent office rules and procedures in connection with . and foreign duty of disclosure and other areas of patent prosecution.
- Meeting a billable hour goal of 1200 hours and adhering to best practices for daily time entry.
- Collaborating with the team on large projects and contributing positively to the department and firm.

**Education and Experience Information:**
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in biology or biochemistry is required.
- A minimum of one to two years of prior experience working in a professional setting is necessary.
- Prior patent prosecution-related experience in a law firm or corporate setting is advantageous.
- Proficiency in MS Outlook, Word, and Excel, as well as basic computer and database management skills, is required. Knowledge of Dialog, STN, GenomeQuest, and/or PatBase is a plus.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills are essential, along with the ability to effectively communicate workflow and project updates.
- Strong time management, prioritization, problem-solving, and organizational skills are required, with the ability to work effectively in a high-pressure environment.
- Excellent organizational skills with meticulous attention to accuracy and detail are necessary.
- Some knowledge of legal terminology, rules, regulations, and procedures surrounding intellectual property is preferred.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with different levels of constituencies are required.
- Flexibility and capacity to respond calmly, efficiently, and effectively in stressful situations are necessary.
- The ability to adhere to an established work schedule, with the flexibility required to respond to workload demands, including overtime requests when needed, is required.
- Punctuality, reliability, and the ability to meet set deadlines and work effectively under pressure are necessary.
- The ability to maintain confidentiality of matters and other firm business information is required.

**Salary Information:**
The pay or shift range for this position is $68,100 USD to $90,000 USD annually. The actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.

**Additional Information:**
- The position is full-time and hybrid, with options to work from the Boston or New York offices.
- The law firm offers a comprehensive benefits package focused on the overall well-being of employees, including health care plan options, vision and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts/health savings accounts, life insurance, employer-sponsored 401(k) plan with employer match and discretionary profit sharing, tuition reimbursement, professional development opportunities, generous paid time off, parental leave, commuter benefits, charitable matching gift program, and well-being support.
- Any offer of employment is subject to the successful completion of a background check. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.
- The law firm will strive to provide reasonable accommodations to enable employees with disabilities to perform their job successfully.
- The work environment is typical of an office setting, with standard office equipment and noise levels usually quiet to moderate.
- The firm is an equal opportunity employer and complies with federal employment laws.