Intellectual Property Docketing Operations Supervisor (Minneapolis, MN; Denver, CO; Salt Lake C[...]

Dorsey & Whitney LLP; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorsey & Whitney LLP seeks an Intellectual Property Docketing Operations Supervisor for Dallas (also in Minneapolis, Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Seattle, Des Moines). Lead a high-performing docketing team, safeguard data integrity, meet deadlines, and partner with attorneys, vendors, and IT to refine processes.

The role emphasizes coaching, training, and continuous improvement in patent, trademark, copyright, and domain name docketing, with opportunities to influence firm-wide compliance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of comprehensive docketing experience.
• Experience with IP docket database software; FoundationIP preferred.
• Knowledge of USPTO systems (PAIR, Patent Center, TSDR, TESS) and international IP law databases.

Responsibilities

• Supervise day‑to‑day IP docket operations and respond to inquiries.
• Ensure all docket deadlines are met by end of business day.
• Coach and evaluate IP docket personnel performance.
• Coordinate staffing with IP Docketing Manager to balance workload.
• Train docket personnel on policies and procedures.
• Train users on IP docket database.
• Maintain data integrity of the IP docket database.
• Troubleshoot docket management problems and implement solutions.
• Coordinate with vendor and IT to sustain and upgrade the database.
• Enforce best practices and risk management in docketing.
• Stay current with IP rule changes and country law updates.
• Assist with client intake and transfer processes.
• Provide docket reports upon request.
• Respond to IP Docketing Manager and stakeholders timely.
• Perform duties of IP Docketing personnel as needed.
• May perform other duties as needed.

Skills

Docketing proficiency

Leadership/supervision

Training/coaching

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Tools

FoundationIP

MS Office Suite

Job description

We are seeking an Intellectual Property Docketing Operations Supervisor in our Minneapolis, Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Phoenix, Seattle or Des Moines office, where you'll guide a high‑performing team and keep our patent, trademark, copyright, and domain name docketing engine running smoothly. You'll set the pace for daily operations, mentor and train docket professionals, and serve as the go‑to resource for complex inquiries—all while safeguarding data integrity, ensuring deadlines are met, and strengthening firm‑wide compliance and risk management. You'll partner closely with managers, attorneys, vendors, and IT to refine processes and elevate our docketing platform. If you're a proactive, solutions‑driven leader who thrives on accuracy, coaching, and continuous improvement, we want to meet you.

Additional Responsibilities

• Supervise day‑to‑day operations of the IP docket work and serve as first‑level response to docket questions and inquiries from IP docket personnel and other firm personnel.
• Ensure that all deadlines relating to the IP docket database have been satisfied by the end of each business day by communicating directly with client teams as needed.
• Oversee the daily workflow of IP docket personnel, including coaching and providing feedback for performance evaluations.
• Work with the IP Docketing Manager regarding staffing needs, including ensuring that work balance is distributed appropriately among IP docket personnel to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of the department.
• Train IP docket personnel on docket team policies and procedures and coordinate regularly occurring training sessions.
• Train IP docket personnel and other firm personnel as needed on use of IP docket database.
• Maintain and execute systems for checking, verifying, and ensuring data integrity of the IP docket database.
• Work with IP Docketing Manager to troubleshoot docket management problems and implement solutions, including database audit, file review, mail review, and/or communication with IP docket personnel.
• Assist the IP Docketing Manager with maintaining and enhancing functionality of the IP docket database, including coordinating with the IP docket database vendor and Information Services personnel to ensure that the IP docket database is sustained and upgraded as necessary.
• Work with IP Docketing Manager to enforce best practices, established performance requirements, and process improvements to ensure high‑level service is consistently provided and risk management is achieved.
• Stay current with changes to Intellectual Property rules and regulations, and work with IP Docketing Manager to review impact and implement country law updates to docketing procedures and IP docket database to ensure continued compliance with local requirements.
• Assist with coordinating resources on client intake and transfer out processes.
• Assist with providing docket‑based reports upon request by attorneys and other firm personnel.
• Respond timely to requests from the IP Docketing Manager and other IP stakeholders such as the IP Practice Manager, Practice Group Director, attorneys, clients, and business development professionals.
• Perform the duties of the IP Docketing personnel as required.
• May be requested to perform other duties not mentioned above as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience.
• At least 5 years of comprehensive docketing experience.
• Experience with IP docket database software; advanced understanding of FoundationIP is strongly preferred.
• Advanced understanding and knowledge of domestic and international intellectual property and maintenance, including docketing systems and/or other automated databases.
• Knowledge of and experience with USPTO systems and resources such as PAIR, Patent Center, TSDR, TESS, and Saegis and international IP law databases.
• Ability to train and coach others, including designing and presenting materials for effective training.
• Ability to set priorities which accurately reflect the relative importance of job responsibilities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and take decisive action in complex situations.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to exude professionalism at all times.
• Perform effectively in environments with frequent workload changes and competing demands.
• Ability to evaluate and apply technology‑based solutions to processes.
• Proficiency in MS Office Software products: Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Strong written and communication skills; ability to work well under pressure and deadlines; critical thinking and analytical skill.

Preferred

• At least 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience with strategic planning, project implementation and training development.

Office Locations

• Minneapolis, MN
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Denver, CO
• Dallas, TX
• Phoenix, AZ
• Seattle, WA
• Des Moines, IA

Dorsey & Whitney LLP is an EEO/AAP/Disabled Vets Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, military or veteran status, or any other legally‑protected status.

Dorsey & Whitney LLP participates in E-Verify.