IP Legal Admin Specialist — Patent & Trademark Support

Barnes-&-Thornburg-LL; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

BARNES & THORNBURG LLP in Chicago seeks a highly organized legal administrative assistant to support an assigned group of Intellectual Property Trademark and Patent attorneys. You will prepare correspondence, manage the patent docket, calendars, and filing, and coordinate travel and new business intake.

The role requires at least 5 years in a law firm as a legal assistant, with experience supporting patent/trademark matters preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a legal administrative assistant in a law firm.
• Experience supporting patent and trademark attorneys preferred (2+ years).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related firm software.

Responsibilities

• Prepare correspondence, memoranda, and legal documents from drafts.
• Draft standard correspondence and routine documents.
• Prepare and upload patent documents for filing through the USPTO website.
• Update the patent docketing system to reflect actions taken.
• Review and prioritize incoming patent mail and determine required action.
• Maintain and update the document management system and files.
• Establish and maintain calendars and deadline reminder systems.
• Open new files and request conflict checks.
• Conduct periodic file reviews and assist with records management.
• Manage attorney calendars, meetings, and scheduling including conference calls.
• Coordinate travel arrangements.
• Assist with new business intake including conflict checks.
• Enter and finalize attorney time entries.
• Work with accounting staff to support attorney billing.
• Manage expense reimbursements.
• Respond to phone and email inquiries.

Skills

Organizational skills

Discretion & diplomacy

Attention to detail

Typing speed

Strong communication

Time management

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Intapp Time

Linear

Emburse Enterprise

Adobe Pro

iManage

Workshare Compare

Job description

BARNES & THORNBURG LLP in Chicago seeks a highly organized legal administrative assistant to support an assigned group of Intellectual Property Trademark and Patent attorneys. You will prepare correspondence, manage the patent docket, calendars, and filing, and coordinate travel and new business intake.

The role requires at least 5 years in a law firm as a legal assistant, with experience supporting patent/trademark matters preferred.