IP Litigation Junior Legal Assistant (Multiple Offices - CA)

Sheppard; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheppard Mullin, Richter & Hampton, an Am Law 50 firm, seeks an IP Litigation Legal Assistant for the Silicon Valley area, with flexibility for other CA offices.

The role emphasizes support to litigation attorneys on patent litigation and PTAB matters, handling filings, scheduling, and client communications.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of administrative support experience in a law firm, IP litigation experience preferred.
• Ability to handle multiple projects with changing priorities while working independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work overtime, evenings, and weekends, as needed.
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment.
• Strong spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills.
• Excellent time management and prioritization to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to the Partners including billing related tasks.
• Format, edit, and manage legal documents including pleadings and discovery.
• Schedule and coordinate depositions, court dates, filing deadlines, calendars, appointments, meetings, travel arrangements, and related planning.
• Conduct conflict checks and handle new matters, including preparing engagement letters and managing client and case documents.
• Work closely with attorneys and paralegals to prepare and file official correspondence using the Firm's standards and procedures.
• Communicate regularly with the team. Double-checks work product before presenting to attorney for review and again before sending or filing.
• Proactively manage casework and assignments, ensuring all deadlines are met in a timely manner.

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Ability to handle multiple projects with changing priorities

Tools

P-TACTS

Document Management System

Windows 11

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)

Adobe Acrobat

Zoom

Teams

Job description

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, a global Am Law 50 firm, has an immediate opening for an IP Litigation Legal Assistant.

We prefer candidates who can work from our Silicon Valley office but will consider candidates in any of our California offices including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Century City, Orange County, Del Mar, and San Diego (Downtown). There is only one opening.

Job Summary

The Legal Assistant will primarily provide administrative support to litigation attorneys in all aspects of their patent litigation and PTAB practices. Technical, organizational, and administrative skills are necessary to handle the variety of duties and responsibilities outlined below. They will assist with daily workflow regarding procedures, deadlines, filings and related documentation in federal courts and PTAB. Knowledge of litigation, trial procedures, federal, state and appellate court rules and procedures is preferred. The position handles multiple projects, often in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, requiring prioritization and flexibility. Collaboration with firm personnel at all levels is integral to the role.

Essential Functions

• Provide administrative support to the Partners including billing related tasks.
• Format, edit, and manage legal documents including pleadings and discovery.
• Schedule and coordinate depositions, court dates, filing deadlines, calendars, appointments, meetings, travel arrangements, and related planning.
• Conduct conflict checks and handle new matters, including preparing engagement letters and managing client and case documents.
• Work closely with attorneys and paralegals to prepare and file official correspondence using the Firm's standards and procedures.
• Communicate regularly with the team. Double-checks work product before presenting to attorney for review and again before sending or filing.
• Proactively manage casework and assignments, ensuring all deadlines are met in a timely manner. Communicate calendar and docket updates to the Docket & Calendar Team.
• Must be available and able to work during core business hours.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of three years of administrative support experience in a law firm – IP litigation experience preferred.
• Ability to handle multiple projects with changing priorities while working independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work overtime, evenings, and weekends, as needed.
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment.
• Possess excellent spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to prioritize tasks, and excellent time management skills to meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with document productions and e-discovery.
• Strong working knowledge of Federal Courts rules and procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of litigation (e-filings),trial procedures, and federal and state court procedures and rules.
• Strong working knowledge of P-TACTS.

Education

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required, plus substantial and relevant work experience.
• A bachelor's degree or some college is preferred.

Computer/Software Knowledge

Must have proficiency in Windows 11, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Zoom, and Teams, and experience working with a document management system. Must be able to quickly learn new skills and systems.

Work Environment

• Working indoors with limited exposure to hazards (only those that customarily come up with working in a high-rise building).
• Indoor office work environment in a cubical or workstation.
• You are expected to work onsite at least four days per week, with the flexibility to work from home for the remaining day (subject to change).
• Overtime may be required as the job duties demand.

California: The salary range for this position is $23.00 - $36.00 per hour.

Sheppard is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, protected medical condition, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.