Paralegal (Patent Prosecution)

Mueting Raasch Group; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 51,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental

Vision

Life/AD&D

Disability insurance

HRA

HSA

Pet insurance

401k/profit-sharing

Earned Sick Time (MN)

Equipment provided

Home-office stipend

Hybrid work environment

Lunch incentives

Job summary

Mueting Raasch Group seeks a Patent Prosecution Paralegal to join our team in Minnesota. You will support USPTO filings both domestically and internationally and collaborate with patent attorneys and foreign associates.

Requirements include 4 years of patent prosecution experience, USPTO procedure knowledge, and proficiency with e-filing and docketing systems. Hybrid work and a comprehensive benefits package are offered.

Qualifications

• 4 years of experience as a patent prosecution paralegal in a law firm or corporate IP department.
• Paralegal certification or degree in paralegal studies preferred.
• Strong knowledge of USPTO procedures, e-filing systems and foreign filings (PCT).

Responsibilities

• Prepare and file U.S. provisional/non-provisional and international patent applications with USPTO and IB.
• Manage multiple client dockets, maintain a personal docket, and track deadlines.
• Draft and file IDS, Office Actions, Declarations, Assignments, Power of Attorney, and other USPTO communications.
• Coordinate international patent filings and prosecution with foreign associates.
• Conduct patent searches and gather prior art references for IDS filings.
• Maintain client patent portfolios and communicate with clients.
• Correspond with clients, inventors, and patent examiners regarding prosecution matters.
• Ensure compliance with USPTO rules, regulations and firm policies.
• Extract information from USPTO, PCT and foreign databases.

Skills

Patent prosecution

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Paralegal certification or degree

Tools

CPI

Anaqua

Foundation IP

EFSWeb

Patent Center

Job description

Established in 1995, Mueting Raasch Group (MRG) is a dynamic intellectual property law firm dedicated to helping innovators protect their ideas through comprehensive patent prosecution. We are seeking a Patent Prosecution Paralegal to join our team.

To ensure success as a patent prosecution paralegal, you should possess knowledge of U.S. and PCT filing and prosecution procedures and an understanding of foreign patent processes. To be an outstanding patent paralegal at MRG, you will be a team player whose resourcefulness translates into excellent support to MRG patent attorneys and agents.

Job Responsibilities:

• Prepare and file U.S. provisional/non-provisional and international patent applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and International Bureau (IB).
• Manage multiple client-specific dockets, maintain a personal docket, and ensure all deadlines are tracked and met.
• Draft and file documents, including Information Disclosure Statements, Office Action responses, Declarations, Assignments, Power of Attorney, and other USPTO communications.
• Coordinate and manage international patent filings and prosecution with foreign associates.
• Conduct patent searches and gather prior art references for IDS filings.
• Maintain client's patent portfolios, including maintaining records, reviewing files, preparing status reports/updates, and communicating with clients.
• Regularly correspond independently with clients, inventors, and patent examiners regarding patent prosecution matters.
• Ensure compliance with USPTO rules, regulations, and firm policies.
• Extract relevant information from official USPTO, PCT, foreign patent office databases, and related incoming correspondence.

Job Requirements:

• 4 years of experience as a patent prosecution paralegal in a law firm or corporate IP department.
• Paralegal certification or degree in paralegal studies is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of USPTO procedures, e-filing systems (Patent Center, EFSWeb), and foreign patent filing processes (including PCT filings).
• Proficiency in docketing systems such as CPI, Anaqua, or Foundation IP and legal research tools.
• Exceptional organizational and task prioritization skills, attention to detail, and managing multiple deadlines efficiently while maintaining a high-quality work product.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other legal software, including applications for patent prosecution and time and billing software.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to consistently focus on details in all aspects of work to identify and resolve potential problems.
• Strong commitment to client service.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Occasional lifting of objects of up to 25 pounds.

We offer a competitive salary. The salary range reflects various factors considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to relevant skills, training, experience, education, licensure, and/or certifications, and other job-related factors. A reasonable estimate for someone hired into this position is $37.00 - $41.00/hour based on a 40-hour-a-week schedule.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including medical (employer-paid for employees only), dental, vision, life/AD&D, and STD and LTD disability insurance, a health reimbursement account, a health savings account (employer contributions), pet insurance, and a 401k/profit-sharing retirement package. We also provide Minnesota Earned Sick and Safe Time, firm-issued equipment, a stipend for the home office, a hybrid working environment (some in-office required), in-office incentives offered such as monthly lunches and other incentives, discretionary bonuses, and a free on-site gym. Additionally, we offer professional development and continuing legal education assistance.

• medical (employer-paid for employees only)
• dental
• vision
• life/AD&D
• STD and LTD disability insurance
• health reimbursement account
• health savings account (employer contributions)
• pet insurance
• 401k/profit-sharing retirement package
• Minnesota Earned Sick and Safe Time
• firm-issued equipment
• stipend for the home office
• hybrid working environment (some in-office required)
• in-office incentives offered such as monthly lunches and other incentives
• discretionary bonuses
• free on-site gym
• professional development and continuing legal education assistance

Mueting Raasch Group is an equal-opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.