IP Legal Assistant — Patent & Trademark Support

Barnes & Thornburg LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Chicago seeks a highly organized legal administrative assistant to support Intellectual Property Trademark and Patent attorneys. You will manage calendars, filing, docketing, time entries, and convey confidential matters with discretion.

Requires 5+ years in a law firm and patent/trademark matter experience, plus strong MS Office and relevant firm software. Hybrid/onsite position with traditional hours, occasional overtime, and opportunity to coordinate travel and new

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a legal administrative assistant in a law firm setting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare correspondence, memoranda, and other legal documents from drafts.
• Draft standard correspondence and other 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 physical files for client and patent office correspondence.
• Open new files, request conflict checks, and maintain client and general files.
• Conduct periodic file reviews for potential storage, prepare files for closing, and assist with records management.
• Manage attorney calendars, meeting preparation, 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.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

5+ years legal admin experience

Patent/trademark support

Discretion and diplomacy

Strong organizational skills

Multitasking

Typing 60+ wpm

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Intapp Time

Linear

Emburse Enterprise

Adobe Acrobat Pro

iManage

Workshare Compare

Job description

Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Chicago seeks a highly organized legal administrative assistant to support Intellectual Property Trademark and Patent attorneys. You will manage calendars, filing, docketing, time entries, and convey confidential matters with discretion.

Requires 5+ years in a law firm and patent/trademark matter experience, plus strong MS Office and relevant firm software. Hybrid/onsite position with traditional hours, occasional overtime, and opportunity to coordinate travel and new