IP ASSISTANT

Our client is seeking an experienced Assistant to join their Intellectual Property (IP) law department in their Chemical, Biotech, & Pharmaceutical practice team. The right candidate will provide legal assistance to attorneys and clients in all aspects of patent prosecution. The Assistant will perform advanced-level legal and administrative support duties requiring sound judgment, critical thinking, project management, and advanced organizational skills that entail a high level of detail.

Description:

1. Manage electronic e-docket, maintain secondary docket
2. Manage inbox/emails by acknowledging, distributing, and saving to electronic document repository
3. Correspond with clients, attorneys and staff to ensure instructions are received and deadlines are met
4. Submit conflicts check(s) and new client matter information through OPEN; prepare engagement letters and assist with client billing as required
5. Draft and complete documents/paperwork supporting patent prosecution by accurately and promptly completing necessary forms, documentation and other administrative tasks
6. Provide document production services, including styling and formatting of documents; proofreading and checking for appropriate formatting, spelling and grammatical errors
7. Interact professionally and promptly with clients and internal parties by reporting filing information and responding to questions appropriately
8. Respond appropriately to emails, telephone calls, letters and/or visitors; use resources to resolve and answer routine questions
9. Schedule appointments and make arrangements for conferences and travel; maintain attorney's calendar and contacts
10. Create, organize and maintain client files, follow up on pending matters
11. Set up meetings as requested, ensuring all required materials are organized in advance and greet clients/guests as necessary

Qualifications:

1. Minimum of five (5) years previous legal secretarial or legal assistant patent prosecution experience in a law firm or comparable environment preferred
2. High School Diploma or GED required; Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in a related field preferred
3. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel
4. Excellent typing ability of at least 55 words per minute