Summary:
As an Intellectual Property Legal Assistant, you will be responsible for carrying out administrative services and supporting the Intellectual Property team. This position's ideal candidate has a strong work ethic, exceptional problem-solving skills, and is comfortable working in a fast-paced dynamic workplace.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following (but not limited to).
- Provide full administrative support to the Intellectual Property Practice Group and its clients.
- Track and maintain strict legal deadlines, proactively monitoring upcoming due dates for office actions and renewals.
- Maintain and update patent and trademark portfolio reports for clients; assist in preparing status summaries and portfolio analytics.
- Coordinate with foreign associates on PCT national-phase entries, Convention priority filings, and foreign office action responses.
- Draft, edit, and proofread legal correspondence, engagement letters, and declarations.
- Process and manage expenses, routinely update our time-keeping system, complete and close timekeeping where appropriate and prompt attorneys as necessary.
- Work with Accounting in all aspects of the billing cycle, including but not limited to reviewing client billing for accuracy, edits to content/grammar, resolution of billing problems, and efficient changes to the process.
- Process the intake of new clients, run conflict checks, create engagement letters, create client files, manage new client matters accurately and efficiently.
- Perform other related duties required based upon the unique practice of the attorney, such as but not limited to assisting in business development initiatives and events and committee projects and responsibilities.
- Assist other legal assistants whenever necessary to meet firm and client needs.
Qualifications/Requirements
- Working knowledge of US and international patent and trademark prosecution processes and their associated rules and procedures.
- Analytical reasoning skills and ability to interpret rules and instructions accurately.
- Excellent organizational and follow-up skills.
- Comfortable and efficient at calculating dates.
- Detail oriented; ability to perform routine tasks and maintain concentration for long period of time.
- Ability to prepare accurate, highly detailed work; excellent proofreading skills.
- Proficient with MS Office applications.
- 3+ years intellectual property experience in a law firm or legal services environment.
- Familiarity with IP docketing software (e.g., Anaqua, FoundationIP, or CPi) preferred.
- Familiarity with the United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) online filing systems preferred.
- Undergraduate degree preferred.
Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Forward-thinking – Anticipating future trends, challenges, and opportunities and acting proactively to prepare for them. It involves a strategic growth mindset that focuses on long-term success through innovation, adaptability, and creative problem-solving
- Innovation & Design – Be open to new ideas and promoting positive innovation. Demonstrates attention to detail. Fosters agility.
- Problem Solving and Decision Making – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Aligns critical priorities. Thinks and acts strategically.
- Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict and applies growth mindset.
- Oral Communication – Listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.
- Team work and Collaboration – Balances team and individual responsibilities; contributes to building a positive team spirit.
- Professionalism – Accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
- Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
- Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to direction; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.
- Initiative –Takes independent actions and calculated risks; asks for and offers help when needed.
- Integrity – Model positive behaviors and actions. Maintains confidentiality and fosters trust.
Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet software; spreadsheet software, word processing software; financial software.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Dentons Cohen & Grigsby P.C. offers a competitive salary and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, money purchase plan, short-term/long-term disability, life insurance, paid time off, and paid holidays.
Dentons Cohen & Grigsby P.C. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Pay: From $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- AD&D insurance
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
- Wellness program
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Experience:
- Intellectual property law: 3 years (Required)
Location:
- Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (Required)
Work Location: In person
