Intellectual Property Legal Assistant

BrownWinick; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

BrownWinick seeks a dedicated Legal Assistant for our Intellectual Property Practice Group. The role requires exceptional organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple tasks, and a commitment to providing high-quality support to attorneys and clients.

You will draft, proofread, schedule, and manage communications and deadlines, maintain client files, and assist with marketing and docketing. Strong MS Office, EDMS familiarity, and discretion in handling confidential information are

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• 1 year of Legal Assistant, Intellectual Property, or work in Legal Services industry.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) with speed and accuracy.
• Experience with document management systems, calendars, billing systems, and general office technology preferred.
• Experience with EDMS and other filing systems preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, edit, format, and proofread correspondence, memoranda, reports, and other legal or business documents from written or oral instructions.
• Draft routine correspondence and standardized legal or business documents as appropriate.
• Manage attorney calendars, schedules, and deadline reminders.
• Monitor, review, process, and distribute incoming and outgoing mail and electronic communications in a timely and accurate manner.
• Open, organize, maintain, and close client and administrative files in accordance with firm policies, including coordinating conflict checks and retention procedures.
• Serve as a professional point of contact for clients, visitors, attorneys, and staff; maintain positive working relationships and observe strict confidentiality.
• Coordinate meetings, appointments, travel arrangements, and related logistics for assigned attorneys.
• Support timekeeping and billing processes, including proofreading invoices and assisting with timely submission of attorney time.
• Perform general administrative and office support tasks as needed to support practice and firm operations.
• Complete additional duties as assigned based on business and practice needs.
• Track and manage CLE credits, monitor deadlines, and send reminders to attorneys for compliance.
• Support and manage attorney marketing efforts, including overseeing client relationship management.
• Assist in the execution of special projects and initiatives.
• Contribute to cross-functional projects that impact various aspects of the business.

Skills

Organizational skills

Multi-tasking

Attention to detail

Written communication

Verbal communication

Discretion

Legal technology

Document management

Teamwork

Independence

Education

Associate degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

EDMS

Billing systems

Job description

We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Legal Assistant in our Intellectual Property Practice Group to join our dynamic legal team. This role requires excellent organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple tasks, and a commitment to providing exceptional support to our attorneys and clients.

The Legal Assistant provides high‑quality administrative and legal support to attorneys across our Intellectual Property Practice Group. This role requires strong organizational and multi-tasking skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced professional services environment. Legal Assistants maintain regular contact with clients, attorneys, and firm staff while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and client service

A key to success in this role will be the ability to learn assigned attorneys’ practice and anticipate the assigned attorneys’ needs to help provide deliverables. You will be part of a strong team environment and work closely with other legal assistants. You will maintain positive contact with clients, attorneys, and staff and observe confidentiality of client matters. As a Legal Assistant at BrownWinick Law Firm, you will perform a variety of administrative duties for assigned attorneys including drafting, proof reading, scheduling, reviewing email, developing to-do lists, tracking completion of projects, ghost‑writing communications, planning, assisting with marketing efforts, docketing deadlines, handling internal and external communications, etc.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required
• 1 year of Legal Assistant, Intellectual Property, or work in Legal Services industry
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) with speed and accuracy
• Experience with document management systems, calendars, billing systems, and general office technology preferred
• Experience with EDMS and other filing systems preferred but not required

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential functions are the primary responsibilities of the position and may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Prepare, edit, format, and proofread correspondence, memoranda, reports, and other legal or business documents from written or oral instructions
• Draft routine correspondence and standardized legal or business documents as appropriate
• Manage attorney calendars, schedules, and deadline reminders
• Monitor, review, process, and distribute incoming and outgoing mail and electronic communications in a timely and accurate manner
• Open, organize, maintain, and close client and administrative files in accordance with firm policies, including coordinating conflict checks and retention procedures
• Serve as a professional point of contact for clients, visitors, attorneys, and staff; maintain positive working relationships and observe strict confidentiality
• Coordinate meetings, appointments, travel arrangements, and related logistics for assigned attorneys
• Support timekeeping and billing processes, including proofreading invoices and assisting with timely submission of attorney time
• Perform general administrative and office support tasks as needed to support practice and firm operations
• Complete additional duties as assigned based on business and practice needs
• Track and manage CLE credits, monitor deadlines, and send reminders to attorneys for compliance.
• Support and manage attorney marketing efforts, including overseeing client relationship management.
• Assist in the execution of special projects and initiatives.
• Contribute to cross-functional projects that impact various aspects of the business.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities efficiently
• Excellent attention to detail, including strong proofreading and document-quality skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated discretion and judgment in handling sensitive and confidential information
• Proficiency in standard office and legal technology including document management, printing, scanning, and copying systems
• Ability to adapt to changing workflows, responsibilities, and practice-specific requirements
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment

ADDITIONAL ROLE EXPECTAIONS

• Passion for invention, innovation and research.
• This position is primarily performed in an office environment
• Work may occasionally require more than 40 hours per week, including irregular hours, to meet business or client needs
• Ability to sit, stand, use a computer, and operate standard office equipment for extended periods.