Paralegal - Intellectual Property

Husch Blackwell; Madison (WI); Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

Husch Blackwell LLP in Madison, WI seeks an experienced Intellectual Property Paralegal to support a busy IP practice with patent-related duties, docketing, and international filings.

Responsibilities include preparing status reports, organizing files, filing with PTO, and assisting with IP litigation tasks. The firm emphasizes teamwork, client service, and professional growth in a flexible work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years intellectual property paralegal experience, patent experience preferred.
• Experience with pharmaceutical, life sciences, and/or biotech patent prosecution.
• Associate’s degree required; Bachelor’s Degree and/or Paralegal Certificate from ABA approved program preferred.
• Significant legal-related experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

Responsibilities

• Research and compile information on national and international IP rights.
• Prepare status reports for attorneys and clients.
• Coordinate international filings with foreign law offices.
• Collaborate with Docketing Team to track due dates and renewals.
• Assist in IP-related litigation and oppositions; draft pleadings.
• Perform PTO filings, statements of use, and assignments.
• Draft responses to PTO actions.
• Organize and manage files; mentor junior staff; learn AI tools.

Skills

Detail oriented

Multi-tasking

Highly organized

Independent thinker

Client service

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor’s degree

Paralegal certificate

Job description

Husch Blackwell LLPis a full-service litigation and business law firm with multiple locations across the United States, serving clients with domestic and international operations.

At Husch Blackwell we believe that diverse, equitable and inclusive teams lead to better outcomes. Husch Blackwell is committed to retaining, recruiting, developing, and promoting talented lawyers and business professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We foster an engaged, diverse, and inclusive team culture of accountability and purpose that makes our Firm and our communities better.

Our firm is committed to attracting and retaining professionals who value each other and the service we provide by embracing Teamwork, Collaboration, Client Service, and Innovation. If you are a motivated professional looking for a long-term fit where you can grow in a role, and will be valued and empowered, then we invite you to apply to our Intellectual Property Paralegal position. This position can be filled remotely or in any of our office locations.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Seeking an IP Paralegal responsible for assisting with a full range of Patent matters for a busy IP practice. This includes assisting with preparation, docketing, electronic filing, portfolio management and registration and maintenance of Patent applications.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS INCLUDE:

General

• Research and compile information pertaining to national and international intellectual property rights.
• Prepare status summary reports for attorneys and clients.
• Coordinate international filings with foreign law offices and/or other foreign entities.
• Collaborate with Docketing Team to ensure due dates for actions, including responses, renewals, oppositions, Section 8 and 15 affidavits, use affidavits, Patent Cooperation Treaty requirements, and payments of patent annuities in foreign countries are properly docketed and tracked.
• Assist in intellectual property-related litigation.
• Assist in oppositions, interferences and cancellations; draft necessary pleadings for use in these inter partes.

Patents

• Perform on-line searches of Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) records, industry databases and general legal research.
• Conduct searches for information regarding trademarks.
• File applications, statements of use, renewal applications, affidavits of use, and assignments.
• Draft responses to PTO actions and oppositions.

Other

• Learn/develop technical proficiency in database use and management, internet/electronic research, and project folder/electronic file maintenance.
• Independently organize and manage files.
• Attend and participate in internal CLEs.
• Anticipate attorney needs.
• Serve as mentor to a Paralegal Assistant, or more junior Paralegal as needed.
• Engage in occasional interaction with clients.
• Familiarity and experience with adopting legal AI and ability to learn and implement new AI preferred.
• Meet annual billable hour requirement of 1500 hours.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum of 5 years intellectual practice paralegal experience, patent experience preferred.
• Experience with pharmaceutical, life sciences, and/or biotech patent prosecution, such as filing of sequence listings and multi-jurisdictional international portfolio management.
• Associate’s degree required; Bachelor’s Degree and/or Paralegal Certificate from ABA approved program preferred.
• Significant, substantive legal related experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

OTHER DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Detail oriented.
• Ability to work well under pressure, multi-task efficiently and be an independent thinker.
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally and provide exceptional service, internally and externally, at all times.
• Highly organized, able to prioritize workflow and manage projects.
• Ability to perform effectively with little or no supervision and within established time limits and on-going deadlines.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with skill and experience.The exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law.The expected compensation ranges for this position in various states and jurisdictions are as follows:

• State of California: $86,000 - $139,000
• State of Colorado: $75,000 - $119,000
• State of Illinois: $64,000 - $125,000
• State of Maryland: $73,000 - $107,000
• State Massachusetts: $85,000 - $130,000
• State of Minnesota: $75,000 - $111,000
• Jersey City, NJ: $78,000 - $114,000
• State of New York: $66,000 - $125,000
• State of Washington: $88,000 - $134,000
• Washington, DC: $94,000 - $138,000

The above salaries do not include a discretionary bonus, however bonus opportunities are non-guaranteed, and are dependent upon individual and firm performance. Full-time employees receive benefits including: medical and dental coverage; life insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance; pre-tax flexible spending account for certain medical and dependent care expenses; an employee assistance program; Paid Time Off; paid holidays; participation in a retirement plan program after meeting eligibility requirements; and more.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements. The Firm will provide reasonable accommodations as necessary to allow an individual with a disability to apply for and/or perform the essential functions of a position. Please reach out to our HR team to request an accommodation.

EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Vet.Principal Applicants Only.

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