Legal Support Assistant

Burr & Forman; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Burr & Forman in Charlotte, NC seeks a full-time Legal Support Assistant to join our IP Docketing team. You will perform complex docketing tasks, manage calendars, file with USPTO and foreign offices, and prepare/edit legal documents.

Two years of legal experience and proficiency in Word are essential. The role requires strong organizational and communication abilities in a fast-paced environment, with opportunities to handle special projects and client interactions.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school, or two years of related experience
• Two or more years of general IP experience preferred; IP docketing system experience a plus
• Professional appearance and client service mindset
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with proactive ownership
• Ability to handle competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Outlook
• Some overtime may be required

Responsibilities

• Perform complex administrative duties requiring knowledge of legal terminology and processes
• Docket and distribute high volumes of incoming correspondence from USPTO, WIPO, and foreign associates
• Open new matters and input records into FoundationIP for patent, trademark, and copyright cases
• Provide auditing for matters to ensure data quality
• Generate client status reports and research pending or issued applications
• Maintain daily docket, send reminders as needed
• Keep current with USPTO, PCT, Madrid Protocol and related rules
• Collaborate with IP Docketing and other teams on special projects
• Assist with client/matter transitions and POA management
• Monitor annuity payments and submit invoices for patent matters
• Prepare, edit, and file briefs and other documents
• File documents in various courts as needed
• Schedule meetings, travel and depositions; manage calendars
• Answer calls, prepare documents for shipment and handle mail distribution
• Greet clients and visitors; manage arrival notifications
• Enter billable time and process reimbursements
• Open and maintain client files and matters
• Assist with other administrative tasks to ensure workflow

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Independent working

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

FoundationIP

Job description

Burr & Forman has an immediate opening in our Charlotte, NC office for a full‑time, experienced Legal Support Assistant to join our growing IP Docketing team. The Legal Support Assistant provides comprehensive IP docketing services to the firm, including foreign and domestic patent and trademark docketing. This role involves performing complex administrative tasks that require knowledge of legal terminology and processes, including preparing and filing legal documents, managing calendars, and coordinating logistics for meetings. The ideal candidate should possess strong organizational and communication skills, with at least two years of experience in a legal setting. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment are essential.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS

• Perform complex administrative duties requiring knowledge of legal terminology and legal processes
• Review, docket, and distribute a high volume of incoming correspondence from the USPTO, WIPO, and foreign associates according to established procedures
• Open new matters and input records into the IP Docketing system, FoundationIP, for both foreign and domestic patent, trademark, and copyright cases
• Provide auditing service for matters and docketed actions to ensure quality control of client data
• Generate client status reports, including researching to confirm status of pending or issued applications at the USPTO and in foreign IP offices
• Clear the docket daily, including sending reminders as needed
• Keep current with USPTO, PCT, Madrid Protocol and Foreign IP rules and practices associated with deadlines
• Manage and work with IP Docketing team and other teams within the firm to complete special projects as requested
• Assist with the process of transferring in/out of clients/matters (coordinating with old/new firm, obtaining necessary POAs, reviewing each individual matter for accuracy, inputting all data into our docket, etc.)
• Assist with monitoring and instructing annuity payments according to client instructions, track payment decisions, and submit annuity invoices for all patent prosecution matters
• Prepare, edit, and proof briefs, motions, discovery, pleadings, memos, correspondence and other similar documents and reports
• File briefs, pleadings, and other filings in district/state/federal court as needed
• Schedule and coordinate logistics for meetings, travel and depositions
• Maintain calendars including court deadlines and appearances
• Answer incoming calls, respond to inquiries for information, prepare documents for shipment, and distribute mail
• Greet and interact with clients and visitors to the firm’s offices and notify appropriate personnel of the arrival of guests
• Enter billable time into the firm’s billing software and submit expense reimbursements
• Open and maintain client files, cases, and organizational documents
• Assist in other administrative tasks to ensure a smooth office workflow

THE ESSENTIALS

• Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two‑year college or technical school; or two years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Two or more years of general IP experience is preferred; experience with IP docketing systems is a plus
• Professional appearance and demeanor with commitment to providing exceptional client service
• Ability to work independently and as a member of the team
• Highly organized, detail‑orientated, proactive with a desire to take ownership as a contributing member of the team
• Balance competing priorities and work effectively in a fast‑paced environment, exercising patience and professionalism during stressful situations
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Outlook
• Some overtime may be required

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position is a unique opportunity to join a firm that prioritizes our clients, colleagues, and communities. If you’re a service‑minded professional with intellectual curiosity and excellent work ethic, please consider joining our team.

Burr & Forman LLP provides a wide range of benefits designed to support our employees and families including comprehensive health insurance, dental and vision insurance, group term life and disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan and retirement planning services, paid time off, and free wellness and mental health services among other benefits.

The salary range for this position reflects a reasonable estimate of the range of compensation. Actual compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to, education, work experience, geographic location, skills and competencies, industry knowledge, job responsibilities, market considerations and other business considerations.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Burr & Forman is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to recruiting, hiring, developing, and promoting lawyers and staff without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, military and protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, transgender status, sex stereotyping, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

Please view Equal Employment Opportunity, E‑Verify, and other related posters at www.burr.com/careers/working-at-burr.