Paralegal (Intellectual Property Group) $80,000-85,000 per year

Downtown Pittsburgh law firm is in need of an experienced Paralegal to work within their Intellectual Property group.

Duties to include:

· Preparing necessary patent/trademark forms

· Assisting with preparing, filing and prosecution of US and foreign patents, US and foreign trademarks and copyright applications and related documents and prosecution filings including electronic filing with the USPTO and WIPO.

· Drafting patent, trademark and copyright documents and correspondence.

· Assisting with the preparation and formatting of applications, responses to USPTO communications including office actions, briefs, TTAB filings, etc. in proper USPTO format.

· Handling administrative aspects of US patent and trademark prosecution, including payment of maintenance fees and annuities.

· Managing IP docketing deadlines and familiarity with IP docketing platforms. Review and process all internal and external communications to identify, docket, and remind managing attorneys of deadlines. Creating IP portfolio status reports.

· Send reminders to attorneys of upcoming deadlines and draft communications to remind foreign associates and clients of upcoming deadlines.

· Coordinate with foreign associates on patent and trademark applications, response to office actions and refusals and deadlines.

· Maintaining all electronic patent, trademark, and copyright application files. Experience with document management software preferred.

· Researching and gathering foreign references and non-patent literature documents.

· Assisting in all administrative aspects of IP work.

Requirements:

· 3+ years of patent and trademark prosecution experience preferred.

· Patent, trademark and copyright filing experience (U.S. and foreign).

· Experience with opening new matters, conflicts, time entry, bills and reimbursements.

· Previous like experience in a similar role within a small to large law or professional services firm working for senior lawyers/partners.

· Proficient MSOffice skills and familiarity in using docketing

· Professional verbal and written communication skills.

· Strong attention to detail, organizational and multitasking skills

· Team player with ability to work with multiple lawyers on different matters