Patent Prosecution Legal Assistant-Temporary

(14 week assignment starting July 5^th)

New York, NY

M-F, 9am-530pm or 930am-6pm

Reports to Supervising Attorney 

Summary of Position

Assists attorney in prosecuting Patent and Trademark applications in the United States and various foreign countries.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains patent files, run client conflict checks, open files, prepares documents for filing with the USPTO including, Patent Applications, Preliminary Amendments, Information Disclosure Statements, Responses to Missing Parts, Assignments, RCE’s, Notice of Allowance, Appeals, payments of Issue Fees, etc.
• Reviews all incoming correspondence from U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and foreign associates for essential docketing; maintains and updates docketing and deadline calendars, perform status checks, conduct online research, clear dockets.
• Enter time for attorneys, process monthly invoices, prepare expense reports, trip planning.
• On-going verbal and written communication with attorneys, clients and foreign associates.
• Other tasks and projects as may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• BA degree and/or paralegal certificate or minimum of 2 years’ experience in U.S. patent prosecution.
• Familiarity with electronic case management systems and USPTO rules and requirements.
• Familiarity with the prosecution of U.S. Trademark applications a plus.
• Ability to work comfortably with advanced computer software (after training) and effectively use and maintain a computer database.  Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel,Outlook) required.  Possible use of speech-to-text transcription software
• Ability to work independently and meet critical deadlines under supervision of attorney.
• Ability to analyze issues, organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints.
• Ability to concentrate on detailed work for up to 80% of work day.
• 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, attention to detail 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.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature and the like.