IP Administrative Specialist

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma
  
• 3 years’ office/administrative experience in a law firm or professional services organization
  
• Experience filing with the USPTO as well as knowledge of USPTO rules and practices, including docketing, public/private PAIR, US
  Prosecution, and formality requirements
  
• Must be a self-starter
  
• Must be able to work independently and within a team
  
• Strong communication, writing, and organizational skills in order to oversee the docket and keep attorneys and patent agents on track
  
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
  
• Proven administrative abilities and excellent judgment
  
• Ability to handle multiple time-sensitive tasks in a fast-paced environment
  
• Punctual

Preferred Requirements:

• 3 years’ patent prosecution experience
  
• Knowledge of law firm billing programs (InTapp) and patent docketing software (OP Solutions Pattsy)

What will your day look like?
In this role, you will provide administrative and specialized patent prosecution support to our Patent Prosecution practice group. You will work closely within teams consisting of paralegals, patent agents, attorneys, and other business professionals in U.S. and foreign patent prosecution.  As an IP Administrative Specialist, you will provide direct support to the firm’s paralegals and will be responsible for tasks including, but not limited to, maintaining confidential case records, opening new matters in the firm’s document management system, preparing drafts of documents needed to complete the filing of provisional, non-provisional, and PCT applications, drafting email correspondence related to these matters, reviewing newly received Office Actions to identify new references and determine potential cross-citation needs, preparing information disclosure statements and maintaining reference citation charts, and assisting with other non-billable projects as assigned by paralegals, attorneys, or the IP Supervisor. You will prepare formal documents (such as assignments, declarations, and powers of attorney), work with the paralegal and attorney teams to obtain appropriate signatures, and follow-up as needed. 

As an IP Administrative Specialist, you will play a critical role on our team as you will often be the first person to process incoming correspondence or the first person to draft documents for review by a paralegal.  As such, timeliness and promptness are important traits to succeed in this role.

You will be responsible for reviewing and managing the docket for U.S. and foreign deadlines, as well as understanding deadlines and action needed on each file. You will review files and provide overall support for all aspects of portfolio management for your assigned clients. You will also retrieve information from USPTO and conduct other internet research, such as obtaining copies of articles or publications from scientific journals for citation purposes. You are responsible for staying current and compliant with MPEP and CFR rules and administrative changes at the USPTO and adhering to procedures set in place by the IP Supervisor.

While this is primarily a non-billable position, certain tasks may require recording time in the firm’s timekeeping system. Experience with billing programs such as InTapp is preferred but not required.

To learn more about DLA Piper, please visit our website. 

We offer exceptional career opportunities in an environment that is challenging, rewarding, and, we believe, truly different from our competitors. Our employees enjoy a competitive benefits package and a dynamic and diverse environment in which they can build a long and fruitful career and reap the rewards of their success. 

General & Essential Job Expectations 
While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties;
  
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner;
  
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product;
  
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required;
  
• Foster positive work relationships;
  
• Comply with all firm policies and practices;
  
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed;
  
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Other Requirements 
Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met. 

Application Process:
If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process or have any questions about the process, please contact careers@us.dlapiper.com. Please add noreply@dlapipercareers.us to your list of safe senders.

Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email.  

Agency applications will not be considered.