Overview

Foley & Lardner LLP's Dallas office is seeking an experienced Assistant to join our Intellectual Property (IP) law department. The right candidate will provide legal assistance to attorneys and clients in the daily operation of patent prosecution practice by providing quality work product for clients. 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. The Assistant will produce documents relating to specific functions and requirements as set forth within practice groups using the firm standard word processing and other applicable software.

Responsibilities

• Manage electronic e-docket, maintain secondary docket
• Manage incoming and outgoing emails by acknowledging, distributing, and saving to electronic document repository
• Correspond with clients, attorneys and staff to ensure instructions are received and deadlines are met 
• Submit conflicts check(s) and new client matter information through OPEN; prepare engagement letters and assist with client billing as required
• Anticipate attorney’s needs and prepare necessary documents supporting patent prosecution by accurately and promptly completing appropriate forms, documentation and other administrative tasks in draft for attorney’s review
• Provide document production services, including styling and formatting of documents; proofreading and checking for appropriate formatting, spelling and grammatical errors
• Ability to work in a team environment, interacting professionally and promptly with persons at all levels in the firm and with clients by reporting filing information and responding to questions appropriately 
• Respond appropriately to emails, telephone calls, letters and/or visitors; use resources to resolve and answer routine questions
• Schedule appointments and make arrangements for conferences and travel; maintain attorney’s calendar and contacts
• Create, organize and maintain client files, using NetDocs, follow-up on pending matters
• Set up meetings as requested, ensuring all required materials are organized in advance and greet clients/guests as necessary 
• Prepare expense reimbursement requests
• Cross-train to support Dallas office assistants/attorneys in Trademark prosecution

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years previous legal secretarial or assistant experience in a law firm or comparable environment required
• Minimum of one (1) year Intellectual Property assistant or support experience required 
• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in a related field preferred
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel