Docketing Team Leader

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox; Washington; Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterne Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. in the DC metro area is seeking a Docketing Team Leader to oversee day-to-day docketing operations, ensure policy compliance, and support client satisfaction across the firm’s docketing systems.

The role requires strong leadership, IP docketing experience, and the ability to work in a hybrid structure with in-office presence; salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 5+ years IP docketing experience; 3+ years supervisory experience.
• Proficient with MS Office and docketing systems; familiarity with USPTO software.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the docketing team to ensure accuracy and SLA adherence.
• Set standards and procedures for the docketing department and support client satisfaction.
• Provide coaching and performance feedback; conduct annual and mid-year reviews for direct reports.
• Collaborate with IT, Foreign Filing, U.S. Prosecution, and other teams to support docket-related needs.

Skills

Leadership

IP docketing

Supervisory/Team lead

Problem solving

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Docketing systems

USPTO software

Job description

Who are we?

Named for several years as a "great place" to work by The Washington Post and Washington Business Journal, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. is proud to be one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms in the world. We recognize that it is the talent and dynamism of each individual at Sterne Kessler that makes this possible. Accordingly, we have cultivated an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating with just the right touch of fun and exuberance. We offer a competitive compensation package with excellent benefits and are Metro-accessible in a prime downtown location with many nearby restaurants and shops.

Who are we?

Named for several years as a "great place" to work by The Washington Post and Washington Business Journal, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. is proud to be one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms in the world. We recognize that it is the talent and dynamism of each individual at Sterne Kessler that makes this possible. Accordingly, we have cultivated an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating with just the right touch of fun and exuberance. We offer a competitive compensation package with excellent benefits and are Metro-accessible in a prime downtown location with many nearby restaurants and shops.

How will you make an impact?

We are looking for a Docketing Team Leader who will be responsible for the day-to-day management and leadership of an assigned docketing team. A key component of this position is to provide specialized support by ensuring compliance with firm policies and procedures and helping to achieve client satisfaction throughout the firm as it relates to managing our docketing systems and procedures. The Team Leader is expected to assist the IP Docketing Manager in setting standards and procedures for the department and is responsible for exercising independent judgment as needed to manage the day-to-day operations of their assigned work group. The Docketing Team Leader should be local to the DC metro area or willing to relocate. This is a hybrid role that requires some in-office presence.

What do we need?

• Demonstrating strong leadership and understanding of patent and trademark rules and procedures, as well as knowledge of firm policies and procedures, while assuring department compliance.
• Collaborating with the leadership team to identify problems, inconsistencies, and needed changes related to department procedures, systems, training, etc., and identifying appropriate solutions to ensure overall departmental success.
• Independently researching and analyzing complex U.S. and foreign intellectual property laws, applying complex knowledge analysis to procedures in correlation with internal procedures and firm docketing systems, and responding to complex docketing inquiries while providing appropriate solutions.
• Maintaining a high level of proficiency in using docketing and other department/firm-related systems and applications, including interacting with IT Department personnel and vendors to troubleshoot problems and inquiries.
• Updating and maintaining procedural and training documentation and other communications relating to docketing systems and procedures.
• Managing daily activities related to core docketing responsibilities in accordance with department standard procedures and service level agreements (SLAs) to ensure overall quality control of the firm’s docketing systems, including the primary and secondary docketing databases.
• Collaborating with the manager, timekeepers, administrative departments (including IT, Foreign Filing, and U.S. Prosecution), and other firm members to understand and support the docket-related needs of our prosecution group and clients.
• Acting as backup to the department manager, other Team Leaders, and the docketing Database Administrator as necessary.
• Being responsible for the daily management and overview of assigned team members, including providing routine coaching, delivering timely feedback, and conducting annual and mid-year performance assessments for direct reports.
• Leading team members in delivering timely, efficient, accurate, and cost-effective client service, ensuring that they exercise excellent attention to detail, professional judgment, and initiative in following established and new departmental procedures and policies.
• Assessing staffing needs and making recommendations regarding hiring, training, promotion, and retention of departmental staff.
• Providing orientation to new firm employees regarding departmental procedures and the use of docketing systems on an ongoing basis.

What will you bring to the role?

• Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• 5+ years of IP docketing experience and 3+ years of supervisory or team lead experience required.
• Proficient in the use of computer equipment including the firm’s software and database systems (e.g., Microsoft Office and the firm’s document management, docketing, and workflow software systems), the USPTO’s software and systems and other law resources and databases used in IP prosecution.
• Must be innovative and capable of embracing new concepts and leading others to do the same.
• Possess strong people management skills and be a problem solver capable of anticipating needs and delivering appropriate solutions.
• Capable of driving high performance to achieve internal/external customer satisfaction and database integrity, implementing structured changes, and effectively communicating across the firm.

The good faith base salary range for this position is $105,000 to $125,000 per year.

Sterne Kessler is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.