Paralegal Specialist

U.S. Department of Commerce; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of the Solicitor at USPTO seeks a Paralegal Specialist to provide litigation support in defense of agency patent operations decisions. You will advise the Director and staff and represent the Director before Federal Courts.

Qualified candidates must meet OPM standards, include specialized IP litigation experience, manage discovery, prepare administrative records, draft pleadings and motions, and maintain detailed case dockets.

Qualifications

• One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 in the Federal service.
• Experience in handling litigation matters related to intellectual property.
• Ability to prepare, cite-check, and draft legal documents and manage case dockets.

Responsibilities

• Provide litigation support for patent/trademark related agency decisions.
• Manage discovery documents, conduct legal research, and prepare administrative records.
• Draft pleadings, motions, and other legal documents; maintain case files and dockets.

Skills

Litigation case management

Education

OPM qualification standards for Paralegal Specialist

Job description

This position is located in the Office of the Solicitor for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and provides litigation support in defense of Agency decisions related to patent operations. This office provides legal counsel to the USPTO Director and his staff and represents the Director before the Federal Courts. You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. OPM Qualifications Standards are available at OPM Qualifications Standards are available at: Qualification Standard for Paralegal Specialist

Specialized Experienceis experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 in the Federal service: For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-11.

Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Experience providing litigation case management involving intellectual property (patent/trademark law) which includes: preparing for and attending trials, managing discovery documents, conducting legal research, cite-checking, preparing extensive administrative records, drafting correspondence and legal documents, such as pleadings, motions, and maintaining case dockets.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.