Temporary IP Secretary

Success is always within your reach at Locke Lord.

Locke Lord is a premier full-service law firm that has earned a solid reputation for complex ‎litigation, regulatory and transactional work on behalf of clients in important and growing ‎industry sectors around the world. ‎

At Locke Lord, our diverse and inclusive culture of collegiality and collaboration — core values ‎of the Firm — across all of our offices and practices is ultimately reflected in our client ‎experience by culminating in a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses.‎

Locke Lord is proud to uphold a collective sense of integrity. Our Firm invests in your ‎professional growth, whether you are a seasoned professional or a recent graduate. In addition to lawyers, we hire problem solvers to deliver creative solutions across numerous ‎disciplines, including marketing, technology, accounting, human resources, practice support and ‎office services. We reward our employees with a team oriented work environment, competitive ‎salaries, and a comprehensive benefits program.‎

General Statement of Duties:

The Legal Secretary is responsible for all aspects of practice-specific administrative support of attorneys and also provides all aspects of practice-specific administrative support and patent filing support for the ‎department. ‎

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing legal administrative support to patent client work

• Assist with domestic and international patent prosecution

• Preparing and filing US Patent Applications, Provisional Applications, Non-Provisional Applications, Continuation Applications, Continuation-In-Part Applications, National Stage Applications and Divisional Applications documents through the IPDAS software/database

• Preparing and filing of Preliminary Amendments, Responses to USPTO Office Actions, Notice to Respond to Missing Parts, Assignments, Information Disclosure Statements and, Notice of Allowance documents through the IPDAS software/database

• Creating reporting letters and, legal documents such as Declaration and Power of Attorney forms and Assignments through the IPDAS software/database

• Downloading foreign patents and publications as needed for the preparation of Information Disclosure Statements

• Maintaining a soft docket

• Electronic filing with the USPTO

• File US Patent applications and related forms on-line through the USPTO website

• Handle all aspects of domestic, including review of attorneys’ dockets to ensure proper docketing while maintaining and meeting all due dates

• Oversee creation, maintenance and, organization of files for all cases

• Manage multiple projects under time-sensitive guidelines

• Open new matter numbers and request conflicts clearance

• Ability to work within a team environment as well as independently

• Willingness to work overtime when requested and/or needed

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Education & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Paralegal Certificate required

• 3+ years of experience supporting attorneys in IP (Patents)

• Experience filing US Patent applications, US Trademark applications and related ‎forms online, and handling all aspects of domestic and international prosecution for patents ‎and trademarks

• Proficiency with document preparation and document management databases (FileSite/DeskSite)

• Familiarity with docketing ‎databases (CPI, EFS or IPDAS)

• Advanced skills in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint

• Effective oral and written communication skills

Additional Information:

Supervisory Responsibility ‎—‎ This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment ‎—‎ This position operates in a professional office environment, with possibility of working remotely occasionally.

Position Type/Expected Work Hours ‎—‎ This is a full-time temporary position. Days and hours of work are ‎Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with one hour for lunch. Evening, weekend, and overtime work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel ‎—‎ No travel is expected for this position.