Docketing Manager

Young Basile Hanlon & MacFarlane, P.C.; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

You will join Young Basile Hanlon & MacFarlane, P.C. as IP Docketing Manager, leading the docketing team and shaping the function to meet deadlines and client expectations. You’ll partner with attorneys, agents, and staff to streamline workflows and elevate service quality.

The role emphasizes collaboration, technology-driven improvements, and continuous professional development for the docketing team, with a focus on accuracy and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of intellectual property docketing experience.
• Experience leading or supervising a team.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. patent prosecution procedures and USPTO practices.
• Experience using IP docketing software.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop the IP Docketing team.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, service-oriented culture.
• Participate in recruiting, onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Build team capabilities through ongoing coaching.
• Ensure all critical patent deadlines are entered, monitored, and completed.
• Oversee daily docket review and quality control.
• Conduct periodic audits to maintain data accuracy and docket integrity.
• Escalation point for complex docketing questions and deadline issues.
• Perform docketing tasks daily to stay current with workflows and issues.
• Coordinate staffing assignments and direct weekly docketing meetings.
• Evaluate workflows and identify opportunities for efficiency; implement best practices.
• Leverage technology and automation to streamline docketing operations.
• Develop and update department procedures and the Docketing Manual.
• Collaborate with attorneys, patent agents, paralegals, and admin teams to support clients.

Skills

IP docketing

Team leadership

US patent procedures

USPTO practices

Docketing software

Organization

Communication

Tools

IP docketing software

Job description

Lead the Team That Keeps Innovation Moving

Young Basile is seeking an experienced IP Docketing Manager to lead our patent docketing team and help shape the future of our docketing operations.

This is more than a management position. We’re looking for someone who enjoys improving processes, developing people, leveraging technology, and ensuring our attorneys and clients receive exceptional service.

If you’re a collaborative leader who thrives on organization, accuracy, and continuous improvement, we’d love to meet you.

About the Role

The IP Docketing Manager is responsible for leading the firm’s patent docketing function, ensuring the integrity of critical deadlines, supporting a high-performing team, and driving operational excellence.

Working closely with attorneys, patent agents, IP specialists, and firm leadership, you’ll oversee daily docketing operations while identifying opportunities to modernize workflows, improve efficiencies, and enhance the client experience.

What You’ll Do

Leadership

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop the IP Docketing team.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and service-oriented culture.
• Participate in recruiting, onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Build team capabilities through ongoing coaching.

Docket Management

• Ensure all critical patent deadlines are accurately entered, monitored, and completed.
• Oversee daily docket review and quality control.
• Conduct periodic audits to maintain data accuracy and docket integrity.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex docketing questions and deadline issues.
• Perform docketing tasks on a daily basis to assist with the workload and maintain familiarity with current workflows, systems, and issues.
• Coordinate which staff members are assigned to which tasks.
• Direct weekly docketing department meetings.

Process Improvement

• Evaluate current workflows and identify opportunities for greater efficiency.
• Partner with leadership to implement best practices and process improvements.
• Leverage technology and automation to streamline docketing operations, including implementing CPI’s autodocket functionality on USPTO mail.
• Develop, maintain, and improve department procedures and documentation, including updating and completing the Docketing Manual.
• Partner with attorneys, patent agents, paralegals, IP specialists, and administrative teams.
• Build strong relationships across departments to ensure exceptional client service.
• Communicate effectively regarding deadlines, procedural changes, and operational initiatives.

Training

• Conduct onboarding training for new docketing staff and IP specialists.
• Provide ongoing education on system (e.g., CPI, IPDAS) updates, process changes, and best practices.
• Lead or participate in special projects that improve department performance.

What You Bring

Required

• Five or more years of intellectual property docketing experience.
• Prior experience leading or supervising a team.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. patent prosecution procedures and USPTO practices.
• Experience using IP docketing software.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.Ability to manage competing priorities while meeting critical deadlines.

Preferred

• Previous law firm experience.
• Experience with international patent docketing.
• Experience leading workflow improvements or technology implementations.
• Knowledge of Patent Center, TSDR, TEAS, WIPO PatentScope, Madrid Monitor, and other IP research tools.
• Enjoys building and developing high-performing teams.
• Thinks beyond “keeping the lights on” and looks for ways to improve processes.
• Takes ownership and follows through.
• Is analytical, organized, and detail-oriented.
• Can balance multiple priorities without losing sight of quality.
• Builds trust through collaboration and clear communication.
• Brings a positive, solutions-focused attitude to every challenge.

At Young Basile, you’ll join one of the country’s premier intellectual property law firms, working alongside talented professionals dedicated to protecting innovation.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Lead an experienced docketing team.
• Influence department strategy and operational improvements.
• Work in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Help shape the future of docketing operations through process improvement and technology.
• Make a meaningful impact on the success of the firm and its clients.