Patent Prosecution Administrative Specialist (hybrid)

Merchant & Gould, one of the nation's premier intellectual property law firms, is seeking a Patent Prosecution Administrative Specialist for our Foreign Filing Department. This position may be located in any of our office locations.  The salary range for the position is $45,000 - $55,000, based on years of experience.

Summary of Position:
Working collaboratively with Foreign Filing  team members, providing administrative assistance to attorneys and paralegals in prosecuting Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications and patent applications in foreign countries.

In order to perform one (1) or more essential functions of this role, a minimum of three (3) days in the office is required.

Responsibilities:

1. Monitors team inbox and reviews all incoming correspondence from foreign associates for essential docketing and for responses due.   
2. Assists with drafting reporting letters to foreign associates for upcoming deadlines.
3. Processes time entries for paralegals.
4. Database management (Document Management System and client specific databases)
5. Reviews and report out client-related PCT and foreign patent formalities including Filing Receipts, Publications and Letters Patent.
6. Assists paralegals with review and processing of PCT correspondence and confirming items are docketed properly.
7. Assists paralegals with drafting documents for filing PCT applications and for providing filing instructions to foreign associates.
8. Assists paralegals with drafting, review, and transmittal of formal documents (Assignments, Power of Attorney) for signature and filing.
9. Assists with correspondence to clients in relation to responding to Office Actions, including mailing copies of the response.
10. On-going verbal and written communication with attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, foreign associates and clients.
11.  Other tasks and projects as may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
•         BA degree and/or paralegal certificate or relevant experience (preferred, but not required)
•         2-5 years patent prosecution experience (preferred, but not required)
•         Ability to work independently and meet critical deadlines under supervision of attorney.
•         Ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints.
•         Excellent written, verbal and proofreading skills required.
•         Ability to work comfortably with advanced computer software and effectively use and maintain a computer database.  Experience with Microsoft Office Suite required.
•         Interpersonal skills necessary in order to communicate and follow instructions from a diverse group, including clients, attorneys and others, and to provide information with ordinary courtesy and tact.
•         High level of responsibility, dedication and accuracy required. 
•         Work on rare occasions requires more than 37.5 hours per week to perform essential duties of the job; may occasionally require irregular hours.
•         Regular attendance at work.

We are equally committed to providing competitive, affordable health and wellness benefits to help take care of yourself and your family, including: a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package that includes employee medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, 401(k) match, and ten firm holidays.

To be considered, please apply online at Career Opportunities (merchantgould.com). You will need to provide a resume and professional references.

Merchant & Gould provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We welcome candidates with disabilities. If you need any accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please contact our Human Resources Department at 1-612-332-5300.

Salary : $45,000 - $55,000