Legal Staff Accounting/Finance in Chicago, IL

Law Firm

Chicago, IL

Legal Staff Accounting/Finance in Chicago, IL

Legal Staff

Min 1 yrs required

No

Job Title: Legal Billing Support Assistant - Intellectual Property

Job Responsibilities:
- Assist with the review of monthly prebills to ensure client-specific fee arrangements, USPTO fees, and foreign associate fees are correct, with accurate reflection of client/matter codes.
- Communicate with timekeepers to confirm accurate recording of time entries for appropriate clients and matters.
- Review and verify the accuracy and completeness of each prosecution action billed on monthly prebills by checking the docketing system, USPTO (Patent Center/TSDR), and documents in iManage.
- Help review monthly and value bills for basic grammar and spelling errors; prepare, edit, and finalize value bills promptly and accurately following established client and law firm guidelines as directed by legal teams.
- Verify fixed fee amounts in accordance with client-specific fee arrangements.
- Assist with answering questions from attorneys and business professionals regarding processing monthly bills; provide information for responses to client billing questions as necessary.
- Create and maintain custom docket reports to assist in analyzing and auditing client bills.
- Assist with client e-billing matters.

Education and Experience Information:
- Minimum of one year of billing experience in a law firm setting required, with experience in intellectual property (IP) billing practices, terminology, and procedures.
- Knowledge of USPTO fee schedules or client-specific fee arrangements.
- Familiarity with billing/accounting systems such as Elite or Aderant; knowledge of e-billing websites and bill submission processes.
- Ability to navigate online systems and resources, with motivation to develop new skills, including IP docketing software (., Inprotech, CPi, or Anaqua) and USPTO online portals (., Patent Center, TSDR, TEAS).
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel and Outlook) required.
- Experience with a document management system such as iManage preferred.
- Ability to perform basic mathematical and percentage calculations.
- Ability to understand accounts receivable and collection policies, procedures, and controls.
- Client-service orientation with the ability to respond promptly and professionally to internal and external inquiries.
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion, professionalism, and tact.

Salary Information:
- Pay Range for Candidates in Washington, DC: $60,000 - $67,000 per year
- Pay Range for Candidates in Chicago, IL: $59,000 - $65,000 per year
- The range provided is the minimum and maximum salary that the law firm in good faith believes at the time of this posting that it is willing to pay for the advertised position. Exact compensation will be determined based on individual candidate qualifications and location.

The law firm is committed to superior client service that begins with an investment in its people, offering competitive compensation, robust benefits, and programs supporting employees’ well-being, families, and futures. The benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, flexible spending and healthcare savings accounts, 401(k) with firm profit share, paid time off, firm-paid holidays, wellness and personal advocacy programs, family planning resources and leave programs, tuition reimbursement, and more. New employees receive a detailed orientation to the firm’s benefit offerings upon hire. The firm strives to offer care that radiates from colleagues to clients and communities, ensuring success for all.