Patent Specialist - Winston-Salem - Townsend and Townsend and Crew

Description

At Townsend and Townsend and Crew, we are seeking a Patent Specialist to join our Intellectual Property Department. This role will be part of a collaborative team of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff dedicated to providing exceptional service to both internal and external clients.

Job Summary

The Patent Specialist will provide critical support in US patent prosecution, focusing on US and PCT filings, deadline management, and special projects. This position requires strong technical knowledge, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide support in all phases of patent prosecution, collaborating closely with attorneys, patent specialists, paralegals, and clients.
• Prepare, coordinate review, and file US and PCT patent applications, responses, and issue fees, electronically and paper as necessary.
• Draft correspondence to clients about the status of patent applications and patent matters.
• Report USPTO and PCT correspondence and notifications, including publications, recordation of assignments, office actions, IDS, Missing Parts, Petitions, Notice of Allowances, and more.
• Manage client portfolios, including preparing and maintaining client status reports, charts, and various client projects and tasks.
• Act as a single point of contact for clients and provide assistance.
• Draft, file, and report to clients IDS and IDS reference management.
• Manage dockets, monitor deadlines, communicate, and follow-up with parties to ensure deadlines and related activities are timely met.
• Review, organize, and timely file documents and emails in Firm's document management system iManage according to Firm protocols.
• Complete special projects as assigned.
• Perform any and all other duties as necessary and assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum of two years' experience as a patent prosecution paralegal, legal secretary, or comparable position with experience working in a law firm or in-house legal environment.
• Experience with Electronic Filing USPTO procedures.
• Excellent knowledge of USPTO and PCT rules and procedures.
• Foreign filing experience preferred.
• High level of proficiency with technology, including Microsoft Office Suite applications, Adobe Acrobat, U.S. Patent Office Electronic Filing System, Dialog, and other internet research tools.
• Good working knowledge of timekeeping software (InTapp), iManage, FoundationIP, and Claim Master.
• Excellent client service skills.
• Ability to collaborate with others, take on assignments, compose routine correspondence, maintain confidentiality of client information, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, ability to work independently, prioritize assignments, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Reliable and dependable team player with a good planner who is very detail-oriented and has the ability to organize and prioritize.
• Action and results-oriented individual with effective written and oral communication skills, ability to work independently, take initiative to move projects to conclusion, and meet deadlines.

Benefits

We offer a multi-faceted health benefit package including medical, dental, and vision. The firm also offers life insurance, short-term disability plans, and retirement plans in addition to holidays and paid time off. The firm offers hybrid work schedules combining in-office work days as well as remote work days.