Job Title: Patent Paralegal (8+ years)
Job Responsibilities:
The Patent Paralegal will perform substantive legal work for the law firm and its patent attorneys, requiring extensive knowledge of . and foreign patent law and procedures. This role supports the preparation and prosecution of domestic and foreign utility and design patents for innovative technology companies. The responsibilities include:
- Supporting patent attorneys in all phases of patent prosecution practice management.
- Maintaining, organizing, and reviewing documents and files.
- Creating and maintaining spreadsheets, status and intellectual property portfolio charts, and/or graphics.
- Managing and performing duties related to an internal electronic file system.
- Generating templates for patent filings, including applications and responses to Office Actions and other correspondence related to the USPTO, PCT, and foreign associates.
- Coordinating domestic and international filings with the USPTO and foreign law offices or other entities.
- Monitoring deadlines for various domestic and foreign patent activities and handling routine activities in connection with the maintenance and protection of domestic and foreign patents.
- Performing electronic filings at the USPTO.
- Familiarity with Hague international design practice and procedure.
- Tracking and filing Information Disclosure Statements with the USPTO across domestic patent families.
- Reviewing formalities of filed patent documents to ensure proper form.
- Preparing reports and summaries for attorneys and clients.
- Reviewing and deciding on appropriate actions regarding correspondence received from foreign associates.
- Researching and compiling information pertaining to national and international patent rights, including searches of USPTO records and patent databases.
- Managing new client intake and opening of matters.
- Assisting in developing and maintaining client relations, including business development activities, marketing, presentations, and meetings.
- Acting as liaison between attorneys, foreign counsel, and clients.
- Keeping abreast of current patent rules and procedures and monitoring developments/trends in legal terminology and patent law.
- Maintaining proficiency in required firm and external programs and databases, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, iManage, USPTO products, Intapp, docketing software, billing software, etc.
- Cohesively working with and occasionally training other patent personnel, including intellectual property specialists and legal assistants.
- Performing other functions as assigned.
Education and Experience Information:
- A Bachelor’s degree and/or relevant experience in a professional environment is required.
- Minimum of 8+ years of domestic and foreign patent prosecution experience is required.
- Knowledge of USPTO systems and processes.
- Strong work ethic and attention to detail.
- Excels within a dynamic, positive, professional, team-oriented culture.
- Ability to quickly learn and comprehend complex concepts and processes.
- Critical thinking skills to understand how each task fits into a broader workflow.
- Efficiency in using available technology to make tasks easier and more efficient.
- Superior proofreading and communication skills, both oral and written.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite products (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Visio is a plus), Adobe Acrobat, iManage, USPTO products, Intapp, etc.
- Flexibility for occasional evening filing.
Salary Information:
As mandated by the Colorado Equal Pay Act, the law firm provides a salary range for paralegal positions that may be based in Colorado. The compensation range for paralegals in Colorado is - per hour based on a work week. Paralegals are eligible to receive overtime, and a discretionary bonus may be available based on performance.
Benefits Summary:
The law firm promotes work/life balance with a comprehensive wellness program, PTO, and a reduced time program. Full-time employees become eligible for benefits on the date of hire, which include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, EAP, STD, and LTD. Voluntary income protection benefits such as supplemental life, accident, critical illness, and long-term care insurances are also available, as well as a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match and profit sharing. The law firm offers maternity, parental, and adoptive leave policies to accommodate varying circumstances and personal/family needs related to the birth or adoption of a child. Inclusive fertility and family benefits are available. Additionally, the firm provides programs for educational assistance, a subscription service for continuing legal education programs, free or discounted legal services, and opportunities through the law firm Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating volunteer opportunities for lawyers, paralegals, staff, families, and friends of the law firm. Part-time employees may have access to some of these benefits on a pro-rated basis.
Voluntary Self-Identification Opportunity:
The law firm may be required by federal law to compile and file an EEO-1 report with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This report contains aggregated data of applicants' gender, race, and/or ethnicity and does not identify applicants by name or other personally-identifiable information. Participation in this data collection process is entirely voluntary and will not affect the status of your application or potential employment. The firm also gathers data regarding veteran status and LGBTQ+ for other surveys or questionnaires, which is also voluntary and will not affect candidacy.
