Legal Staff Legal Secretary in Walnut Creek, CA

Law Firm

Walnut Creek, CA

Legal Staff Legal Secretary in Walnut Creek, CA

Legal Staff

Min 2 yrs required

No

Patent Specialist

Job Title: Patent Specialist

Job Responsibilities:
- Provide comprehensive support for US patent prosecution and related patent matters, focusing on US and Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) filings, deadline management, and special projects.
- Collaborate with attorneys, patent specialists, paralegals, and clients to prepare, coordinate, review, and file US and PCT patent applications, responses, and issue fees in both electronic and paper formats as necessary.
- Prepare supporting documents such as . formal documents, declarations, assignments, and powers of attorney.
- Draft correspondence to clients regarding the status of patent applications and other patent-related matters.
- Report United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and PCT correspondence and notifications, including publications, recordation of assignments, office actions, Information Disclosure Statements (IDS), Missing Parts, Petitions, and Notices of Allowance.
- Manage client portfolios, prepare and maintain client status reports and charts, and oversee various client projects and tasks as the single point of contact for the client.
- Draft, file, and report IDS and manage IDS references utilizing contracted resources as appropriate.
- Manage dockets, monitor deadlines, and communicate with relevant parties to ensure timely completion of deadlines and related activities.
- Review, organize, and file documents and emails in the firm's document management system, iManage, according to firm protocols.
- Complete special projects as assigned and perform various patent-related administrative support tasks.
- Support client services by preparing and processing client reports, coordinating client meetings, or meeting with client patent paralegals.
- Report filings and notifications to clients through the client portal.
- Review client proformas, make edits, and finalize them for attorneys while handling patent prosecution administrative tasks or routing them to others as appropriate.
- Maintain accurate daily time records for client billing and statistical purposes.

Education and Experience Information:
- Minimum of two years’ experience as a patent prosecution paralegal, legal secretary, or in a comparable position within a law firm or in-house legal environment.
- Experience with electronic filing procedures at the USPTO.
- Excellent knowledge of USPTO and PCT rules and procedures.
- Foreign filing experience is preferred.
- Proficiency with technology including Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, . Patent Office Electronic Filing System, Dialog, and other internet research tools.
- Familiarity with timekeeping software (InTapp), iManage, FoundationIP, and Claim Master is beneficial.
- Strong client service skills.
- Ability to collaborate with others, take on assignments, and compose routine correspondence.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to work independently, prioritize assignments, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
- Maintain confidentiality of client information.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and perform well under pressure.
- Respectful, reliable, and dependable team player.
- Detail-oriented planner with the ability to organize and prioritize.
- Action and results-oriented.
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative to move projects to conclusion.
- Sense of urgency in responding to client requests and meeting deadlines.
- Strong work ethic, flexible, dependable, and positive can-do attitude.
- Willingness to adapt to change.

Salary Information:
- This is a full-time, regular position with a multi-faceted health benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance. The firm also offers life insurance, short-term disability plans, retirement plans, holidays, and paid time off.
- The firm provides hybrid work schedules, combining in-office workdays and remote workdays.
- The pay range for this position in Seattle and California is to per hour.

Additional Information:
- **Members Only** is committed to equal employment opportunity for all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex or gender, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
- The contractor will not discharge or discriminate against employees or applicants for discussing or disclosing their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant, except in specific circumstances outlined by law.
- Applicants are informed of their rights under federal employment laws, and further information can be reviewed in the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.