Austin, Texas

Job Description

Primary Responsibilities

Provide legal secretarial support to attorneys and patent agents in the Intellectual Property Practice Section. 

Responsibilities includes:

• Create shells for Office Action responses, preparation and electronic filing of responses, and assist with other submissions and documents as required by the USPTO. 

• Review timekeeper docket reports and maintain docket notes to keep IP timekeepers abreast of upcoming deadlines and their respective status.

• Report communications from the USPTO to attorneys and clients and ensure prompt responses to inquiries. 

• Research, generate, and update case status reports and IP schedules for clients, attorneys, and other IP timekeepers. 

• Access and research a variety of patent databases. 

• Open new matters, review and edit client bills, screen calls and emails, process expense reports, submit check requests, process invoices, handle travel arrangements, and maintain electronic files. 

• Assist with secretarial coverage when IP legal secretaries are unexpectedly out or on vacation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of legal secretarial experience in patent prosecution required and in-depth knowledge of USPTO rules and regulations.

• Maintain a thorough knowledge and understanding of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rules and regulations and the filing procedures for all aspects of U.S. patent prosecution and international prosecution.

• Tech savvy with advanced-level MS Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat skills required. 

• Excellent client service, communication, organizational, and time management skills a must. 

• Seeking a resourceful IP legal secretary who is a team player with outstanding interpersonal skills and a strong work ethic.

• Bachelor's degree preferred.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please contact us at [email protected].