Patent Coordinator

Patterson + Sheridan LLP; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Patterson + Sheridan LLP is seeking a Patent Coordinator to support attorneys, patent agents, and clients through the patent lifecycle—from initial disclosures to issuance. The role collaborates with the Docketing team and Patent Operations leadership to ensure accurate, timely work across U.S.

and foreign matters. The ideal candidate has strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, paralegal certificate, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience preferred.
• Experience supporting patent prosecution in a law firm, corporate legal department, or similar IP environment preferred.
• Hybrid work schedule (3 days on-site, 2 days work from home) offered after a 90 day period assuming onboarding is successful.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive administrative support for U.S. and foreign patent matters from initial filing through issuance.
• Prepare, review, and coordinate documents for filing with the USPTO, including patent applications, responses, declarations, assignments, information disclosure statements, and other prosecution-related documents.
• Coordinate foreign patent prosecution activities with foreign associates, including transmitting instructions, monitoring correspondence, and ensuring appropriate follow-up.
• Review and process incoming USPTO, foreign associate, and client correspondence and take appropriate action in coordination with the responsible attorney.
• Maintain familiarity with attorney and client-specific procedures, billing requirements, matter information, and reporting expectations.
• Monitor deadlines and work collaboratively with attorneys and the Docketing team to ensure timely completion of required actions.
• Manage assigned attorney and client portfolios, proactively identifying upcoming needs, workload concerns, and potential issues.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with attorneys, clients, foreign associates, vendors, and other firm personnel.
• Coordinate with Patent Coordinator Assistants and appropriately delegate work while maintaining responsibility for reviewing completed assignments for accuracy and completeness.
• Assist with opening new matters, maintaining accurate client and matter information, and supporting matter transfers and portfolio transitions.
• Maintain accurate electronic files and records in accordance with firm and client requirements.
• Support billing processes by ensuring accurate matter information and compliance with client billing requirements.
• Participate in training, cross‑training, and professional development opportunities and maintain current knowledge of relevant USPTO procedures and firm processes.
• Utilize firm technology, systems, templates, and approved automation tools to improve accuracy, efficiency, and consistency.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows and collaborate with Patent Operations leadership on process improvements.
• Provide backup support to other Patent Coordinators and attorney teams as workload and business needs require.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive client and firm information.
• Perform other duties and special projects as needed to support the Patent Operations team and the firm's clients.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Independent work

Deadline management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Paralegal certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office

USPTO systems

IP management systems

Document management systems

Job description

The Patent Coordinator provides comprehensive administrative and prosecution support to attorneys, patent agents, and clients throughout the patent lifecycle, from new invention disclosures and application filing through prosecution and patent issuance.

Patent Coordinators are assigned to attorney and client teams and are responsible for understanding the practices, preferences, and requirements of the attorneys and clients they support. The position requires knowledge of patent prosecution procedures, exceptional attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to independently manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Patent Coordinators work collaboratively with attorneys, the Docketing team, other Patent Coordinators, Patent Coordinator Assistants, and the Patent Operations leadership team to ensure work is completed accurately, efficiently, and consistently.

• Provide comprehensive administrative support for U.S. and foreign patent matters from initial filing through issuance.
• Prepare, review, and coordinate documents for filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including patent applications, responses, declarations, assignments, information disclosure statements, and other prosecution-related documents.
• Coordinate foreign patent prosecution activities with foreign associates, including transmitting instructions, monitoring correspondence, and ensuring appropriate follow-up.
• Review and process incoming USPTO, foreign associate, and client correspondence and take appropriate action in coordination with the responsible attorney.
• Maintain familiarity with attorney and client-specific procedures, billing requirements, matter information, and reporting expectations.
• Monitor deadlines and work collaboratively with attorneys and the Docketing team to ensure timely completion of required actions.
• Manage assigned attorney and client portfolios, proactively identifying upcoming needs, workload concerns, and potential issues.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with attorneys, clients, foreign associates, vendors, and other firm personnel.
• Coordinate with Patent Coordinator Assistants and appropriately delegate work while maintaining responsibility for reviewing completed assignments for accuracy and completeness.
• Assist with opening new matters, maintaining accurate client and matter information, and supporting matter transfers and portfolio transitions.
• Maintain accurate electronic files and records in accordance with firm and client requirements.
• Support billing processes by ensuring accurate matter information and compliance with client billing requirements.
• Participate in training, cross‑training, and professional development opportunities and maintain current knowledge of relevant USPTO procedures and firm processes.
• Utilize firm technology, systems, templates, and approved automation tools to improve accuracy, efficiency, and consistency.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows and collaborate with Patent Operations leadership on process improvements.
• Provide backup support to other Patent Coordinators and attorney teams as workload and business needs require.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive client and firm information.
• Perform other duties and special projects as needed to support the Patent Operations team and the firm's clients.

• Prior experience supporting patent prosecution in a law firm, corporate legal department, or similar intellectual property environment preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple attorneys, clients, matters, and competing deadlines while maintaining appropriate priorities.
• Ability to maintain a high level of productivity in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment, efficiently transitioning between tasks while remaining accurate and responsive.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, high‑quality work.
• Ability to work independently, anticipate needs, identify issues, and exercise sound judgment, including knowing when to escape questions or concerns.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and a professional, service‑oriented approach to working with attorneys, clients, and colleagues.
• Ability and willingness to collaborate, share knowledge, provide backup support, and contribute to the success of the broader Patent Operations team.
• Comfort learning and adopting new technologies, systems, and processes, with an interest in using technology to improve efficiency.
• Working knowledge of U.S. patent prosecution procedures and USPTO rules, practices, and electronic filing systems preferred.
• Experience coordinating foreign patent prosecution and communicating with foreign associates preferred.
• Experience with intellectual property management systems, document management systems, Microsoft Office applications, and USPTO systems preferred.
• Bachelor's degree, paralegal certificate, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience preferred.
• Hybrid work schedule (3 days on‑site, 2 days work from home) offered after a 90 day period assuming employee's onboarding is successful.