Patent Legal Assistant

Integr8staff, LLC; Del Mar (CA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Direct hire

Job summary

Integr8staff has an immediate opportunity for a seasoned Patent Legal Assistant. The role supports life sciences and healthcare IP attorneys in U.S. patent prosecution from multiple California offices or Chicago, IL, with a hybrid schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote).

Salary ranges from $60k to $100k, DOE, plus bonus. The position requires 5–6 years of U.S. patent prosecution experience in a law firm, with strong attention to detail, time management, and the ability to work independently

Qualifications

• 5–6 years of U.S. patent prosecution experience in a law firm.
• Foreign prosecution experience is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Strong attention to detail and time management to meet deadlines.
• Proficient with USPTO filings and client document handling.
• Ability to work overtime evenings and weekends as needed.

Responsibilities

• Support life sciences and healthcare IP attorneys in U.S. patent prosecution.
• Handle daily workflow tasks and high-volume, time-sensitive matters.
• Submit conflict checks, open new matters, and manage engagement letters.
• Research patent databases (USPTO, WIPO, Espacenet, others).
• Track due dates, communicate docket updates, and manage client documents.
• Prepare and file USPTO documents, responses, and amendments.
• Maintain client files, ShareFile spaces, and client guidelines.

Skills

Patent prosecution

Attention to detail

Time management

Independent / team work

Communication skills

Multitasking

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

USPTO Patent Center

ShareFile

Docketing software

Job description

Job Title – IP Patent Legal Assistant
Company Location – Del Mar, California
Position can sit anywhere in California or Chicago, ILL.
Full Time | Direct Hire | On-site
Salary – $60k-100k, DOE + bonus
Hybrid, 3-days in office, 2 Days Remote

Job Summary of the Patent Legal Assistant position

Integr8staff has an immediate opportunity for a seasoned Patent Legal Assistant. This position can sit in the following offices: Del Mar, Costa Mesa, Century City, Los Angeles, Menlo Park, San Francisco, or Chicago, ILL. The candidate will support life sciences and healthcare IP attorneys and agents in all aspects of U.S. patent prosecution.

Responsibilities of the Patent Legal Assistant position

• Assist the team with daily workflow tasks and projects in a high volume, fast-paced practice while prioritizing time-sensitive matters.
• Assist the team with both administrative and billable tasks.
• Submitting conflict checks and opening new matters, prepare engagement letters and management of client/ case documents, maintaining client’s ShareFile spaces, maintaining knowledge of client guidelines.
• Research across patent databases such as USPTO, WIPO, Espacenet, and other foreign patent offices.
• Proactively manage casework and assignments, ensuring all deadlines are met in a timely manner.
• Communicate docket updates to Docketing.
• Prepare and file US provisional and nonprovisional applications, including 371 national stage, continuation, divisional, continuation-in-part, and track one applications.
• Review, process, and act upon, where applicable, all incoming USPTO communications.
• Prepare and file documents with the USPTO, including responses to USPTO pre-examination formalities notices, corrective documents, responses to Office Actions, e-terminal DISCLAIMERS, AFCP 2.0 requests, requests for continued examination, and notice of appeals, amendments after allowance, issue fee transmittals, etc.
• Prepare amendment shells.
• Track IDS families and references, obtain references, prepare and file IDS 1449 form/SB08a forms.
• Prepare, send, and track formal documents to inventors/clients for signature. Review and file/record with the USPTO.
• Prepare and file documents related to sequence listings.
• Complete notice of allowance checklist, and prepare and file issue fee transmittals, review and proof issued patents, prepare and files certificates of correction, review and proof certificates of correction.
• Prepare client patent portfolio summary reports.
• Contact the USPTO regarding the status of applications.
• Review and proof, when applicable, patent certificates and forward to clients.
• Must be available and able to work during core business hours.
• Attend and actively participate in all training programs suggested by the Director of IP Administration, the Associate Director of IP, and Office Administrator.
• Contribute to the overall success of the Firm by performing other administrative and support duties as assigned.

Requirements of the Patent Legal Assistant position

• A minimum of 5-6 years of recent U.S. patent prosecution experience in a law firm.
• Foreign prosecution experience is preferred
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail, high degree of accuracy, ability to prioritize tasks, and excellent time management skills to meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle multiple projects with changing priorities and working independently.
• Clear and concise communication skills.
• Possess excellent spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills.
• Proficient working knowledge of filing in USPTO Patent Center.
• Ability to work overtime, evenings, and weekends, as needed.
• High school diploma. Some college or bachelor’s degree preferred.