Patent Paralegal

Opportunities (2024); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 68,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Bonus opportunities

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Fish & Richardson, the premier global IP law firm, seeks a Patent Paralegal to join our Practice Systems Department in Chicago. You will prepare, obtain, and file patent prosecution documents and manage the prosecution docket.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree or ABA‑recognized Paralegal Certificate and 5+ years of U.S. patent prosecution experience, with strong organization and interpersonal skills; in-office presence at least three days per month.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or ABA‑recognized Paralegal Certificate.
• 5+ years' experience as a Patent Paralegal with U.S. prosecution knowledge.
• U.S. prosecution experience required; foreign experience a plus.
• Able to meet billing requirement of 1300 hours per year.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Willingness to work in the office at least 3 days per month.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, obtain, and file patent prosecution documents.
• Maintain a prosecution docket and track due dates.
• Enter time in the firm’s timekeeping system to meet billable goals.

Skills

Patent Prosecution

U.S. Prosecution Knowledge

Organization

Interpersonal Skills

Team Player

Education

Bachelor's degree

Paralegal Certificate

Job description

Fish & Richardson, the premier global intellectual property law firm, is trusted by the world’s most innovative and influential companies. Fish was established in 1878, and now has more than 400 attorneys and technology specialists in the U.S., Europe, and China. Our success is rooted in our creative and inclusive culture, which values the diversity of people, experiences, and perspectives. Join Fish’s team in our fast-paced Practice Systems Department as a Patent Paralegal.

How Will You Make a Difference?

• Accurately prepare, obtain, and file documents related to all phases of patent prosecution, including, but not limited to, requests for client instructions; assignments; information disclosure statements; and responses to office actions.
• Maintain and manage a prosecution docket and follow up on items to ensure due dates and deadlines are met.
• Account for all hours worked on a daily basis by entering time into the firm’s timekeeping system to achieve the billable goal as established by practice management.

What Will You Bring to the Table?

• Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certificate from an ABA (American Bar Association) recognized program or equivalent experience in legal support.
• 5+ years' experience as a Patent Paralegal with U.S. prosecution knowledge.
• U.S. prosecution experience is required; Foreign experience is a plus but not required.
• Ability to meet the firm’s billing requirement of 1300 hours per year.
• Willingness to assist other team members when needed and ability to work well within a team-oriented environment.
• Preparation and filing of information disclosure statements and formal documents experience (i.e., assignments, declarations, office action shells, etc.) is preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in the office as needed for training and collaboration, for a minimum of 3 days per month.

Why Fish?

When you join our team, we offer:

• Competitive pay and discretionary bonus opportunities along with a rich benefits package, including comprehensive medical and dental coverage, generous paid time off, and tuition reimbursement
• Award-winning retirement and profit sharing plans with employer contribution
• A family-friendly atmosphere with back-up child care, as well as health and wellness initiatives
• A positive culture ranked as one of the best in the country in Vault’s 2026 law firm survey
• The pay range for this position varies by geographic market. Final compensation will be based ona variety of factors including education, experience, skills, professional background, overall qualifications, and location
  • In Chicago and Minneapolis, the estimated starting pay range is $34.87 - $52.30 per hour (based on a 37.5-hour workweek), which is equivalent to $68,000- $102,000 annually.
  • In San Diego, the estimated starting pay range is $40.11 - $59.89 per hour (based on a 35-hour workweek), which is equivalent to $73,000 - $109,000 annually.
  • In Silicon Valley, the estimated starting pay range is $42.86 - $64.28 per hour (based on a 35-hour workweek), which is equivalent to $78,000 - $117,000 annually.

Our Commitment to Diversity

As a firm that serves the world’s greatest visionaries, we know that creativity and innovation are the result of seeing the world from multiple different perspectives. Having a diverse team enhances the quality of legal services we provide to our clients, sustains our standing as a premier IP law firm, and strengthens the fabric of our firm.