Legal Staff Information Technology in Milwaukee, WI

Law Firm

Milwaukee, WI

Legal Staff Information Technology in Milwaukee, WI

Legal Staff

Min 5 yrs required

No

Job Title: Director of Patent Operations

Job Responsibilities:

The Director of Patent Operations is tasked with overseeing the processes, procedures, and administration of the Patent Prosecution and Opinions Subgroup within the Intellectual Property Practice Group. This role is crucial in ensuring the consistent and efficient delivery of client services, streamlined processes, and profitable operations. The main areas of responsibility include strategic planning and implementation, operational and financial management, and personnel management.

Strategic Planning and Implementation:
- Assist in developing a strategic plan for the Subgroup, including revenue targets, personnel, and cross-sales with other practices.
- Collaborate with key law firm stakeholders across functions such as legal talent, business development, human resources, and recruiting to execute practice group and firm strategic plans, both short-term and long-term.

Operational and Financial Management:
- Manage the Subgroup in a profitable manner.
- Review and monitor financial reports on inventory, revenue, realization, and productivity.
- Assess new clients and matters to ensure appropriate staffing, rates, and pricing.
- Identify and participate in process improvement opportunities for the Subgroup, working with law firm-level resources like Technology, HR, and billing.
- Provide regular reports to the Chief Legal Operations Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Managing Partner, and other law firm leaders.

Personnel Management:
- Develop an optimal staffing model and manage hiring recommendations to achieve that model.
- Oversee and monitor timekeeper production to ensure appropriate metrics are met, and regularly identify timekeepers who are underperforming.
- Oversee planning for and onboarding of new and lateral timekeepers.
- Collaborate with Office Administrators on the management and efficient use of patent support staff.
- Establish and maintain clear and consistent lines of communication with Department Leaders and team members.
- Maintain oversight, training, and mentoring of the practice group support team.
- Conduct regular performance management of the support team, including the formal annual review process, to ensure operational excellence and high client satisfaction.

Reporting Structure:
- Reports To: Chief Legal Operations Officer.
- Works directly with the IP Practice Group Chair and Subgroup leaders.
- Directly Manages: May have up to 4 direct reports such as Docketing & IP Support Services Manager, IP Paralegal Manager, IP Legal Client Specialists.

Education and Experience Information:

The ideal candidate will have:
- 5+ years of management experience in a law firm, in-house legal department, consulting firm, or comparable experience elsewhere.
- Proven experience in supervising a team of 3 or more direct reports and managing a department of over 25 timekeepers or employees.
- Demonstrated success in operational improvements and adaptation of new technologies in a professional service setting.
- Strong change management leadership.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Advanced procedural document writing skills.
- Basic understanding of US and foreign patent and trademark procedures is preferred but not required.
- A "hands-on" tactical approach with the ability to be a strategic thinker.
- Understanding of financial and production concepts and measurements.

It is advantageous if the candidate has:
- An advanced degree in a related field or equivalent education/experience.
- Process improvement certification such as Lean Six Sigma, Certified Business Process Professional, or Certified Process Improvement Specialist.
- Advanced knowledge of IP Management and Document Management Software and understanding of IP docketing software.

Salary Information:

The law firm offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package. The actual base pay offered will depend on various factors, including the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, level of education, professional certifications and licenses, and work location. Anticipated compensation for this position is $225,000+. The compensation for this position includes eligibility for a discretionary year-end merit bonus based on overall firm performance, performance of the patent practice, and individual performance.

Additional Benefits:

- Competitive base pay, outstanding benefits, opportunities for learning and growth.
- Medical, dental, and vision care.
- Health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts.
- Wellness program and employee and family assistance program.
- 401(k) with company contribution.
- Short-term and long-term disability plans.
- Life insurance and critical illness insurance.
- Parental/family leave.
- Generous PTO plus 9 paid holidays.
- Performance recognition and a positive work climate.