Patent Prosecution Legal Practice Assistant

Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, an AmLaw 100 firm, is seeking a Patent Prosecution Legal Practice Assistant for our Sunnyvale, CA office. We are looking for someone that is a self-starter, has at least two years' experience handling a patent docket, and has a strong knowledge of USPTO rules and requirements.  

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Prepare and file non-provisional and provisional applications, divisionals, continuations, responses to office actions, and preparation and submission of associated transmittals via the electronic filing system. 
• Manage formal papers from inventors, coordinate foreign filings, Powers of Attorney, gather prior art, and prepare Information Disclosure Statements. 
• Prepare and review the daily docket report and proactive interaction with assigned attorneys and agents. 
• Calendar any USPTO due dates, client deadlines, necessary appointments, etc. 
• Coordinate meetings, and activities which require phone and in person client and internal contact.
• Review client prebills to notate items such as whether matters have been filed with the Patent Office.
• Interact with billing department to request out of cycle invoices be prepared.
• Communicate with clients using docketing portals and systems which may include one or more of the following AppColl, Lecorpio, Elysian, Clarivate, Anaqua, SalesForce, and DocuSign.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• At least two years of recent experience with a patent prosecution docket within a professional environment. 
• Strong knowledge of USPTO rules and requirements. 
• Self-starter with problem solving abilities, excellent communication and organizational skills, strong attention to detail, the ability to stay calm under pressure and set appropriate priorities.
• Excellent knowledge of English grammar, proofreading and English composition skills as well as a disciplined eye for quality checking document accuracy.
• Must have knowledge of MS Word, Windows, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.
• Law firm experience is preferred, knowledge of international procedures and requirements experience a plus. 
• Bachelor's degree is preferred.

Compensation: The national average salary range for this role is $63,000 - $114,000. Starting salary will be determined based on location, qualifications, and experience

This position is subject to export control laws.

Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP will consider all qualified applicants for employment, including those with arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Los Angeles County applicants: Material job duties for this position are listed above. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to firm policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness, and safeguard business operations.