Patent Paralegal I

Finnegan; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Finnegan in Dallas seeks a Patent Paralegal I to support attorneys and secretaries with document prep, proofreading, research, and admin tasks. The job offers two shifts: 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. or 11:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m., with flexibility on the later shift based on business needs and manager approval.

You will assist with court filings, prepare bills, coordinate travel, maintain files, and participate in training to take on more substantive IP secretarial duties within the first year.

Qualifications

• High school degree or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and Office programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with databases and online research
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexible attitude and ability to adapt to changing assignments and priorities and fast pace of work
• Willingness to learn and take on advanced duties and support varied team members

Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation of court filings and organization of pleadings, memoranda, discovery and other legal documents
• Prepare, edit, proofread, and redline documents and correspondence for accuracy, grammar, and formatting
• Prepare client bills and related forms and arrange for expense advancement, reimbursement, and invoice payments
• Coordinate travel and meeting logistics, including scheduling videoconferences, conference calls, and conference rooms; arranging equipment and food/beverage orders; preparing presentation materials
• Open new client matters
• Organize and maintain attorney contacts and calendars
• Input, review, edit, and update attorney time entries and print reports
• Ensure all client communications are relayed accurately and timely
• Organize and maintain paper and electronic files per firm records retention policies
• Complete training to assist attorneys with docket monitoring and deadline preparation
• Complete core training and related development in IP secretarial support areas
• Significant progression of responsibilities within the first year
• Embrace new processes and technology to meet client demands
• Attend and actively participate in all secretarial and team meetings
• May provide backup for reception
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Flexibility

Willingness to learn

Education

Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate preferred

High school degree or equivalent required

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Office familiarity / databases familiarity

Job description

About Us

Finnegan is more than just a law firm - we are a powerhouse of innovation and strategy growth. We pride ourselves on providing top-tier intellectual property services globally. Our success is rooted in our emphasis on relationships with our clients and each other. We care about every individual, and it is why many professionals have spent their entire careers at Finnegan.

Role Overview

The Patent Paralegal I will be responsible for assisting attorneys, secretaries, and other legal staff with preparation of basic legal documents, proofreading and editing documents, performing routine legal research, general administrative assignments, and participating in training and developmental opportunities to assume more substantive legal secretarial assignments. This position offers two shift options: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Candidates applying for the later shift may be eligible for additional scheduling flexibility based on business needs and manager approval.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation of court filings and organization of pleadings, memoranda, discovery and other legal documents


• Prepare, edit, proofread, and redline documents and correspondence for accuracy, grammar, and formatting


• Prepare client bills and related forms and arrange for expense advancement, reimbursement, and invoice payments


• Coordinate travel and meeting logistics, including scheduling, arranging videoconferences, conferences calls, and conference rooms; requesting equipment and food and beverage orders; preparing presentation materials


• Open new client matters


• Organize and maintain attorney contacts and calendars


• Input, review, edit, and update attorney time entries and print reports


• Ensure all client communications are relayed accurately and timely


• Organize and maintain paper and electronic files in accordance with Firm records retention policies


• Completes training to assist attorneys with monitoring docket and prepare for deadlines


• Completes core training/cross-training, skills assessments, and related development in all IP secretarial support areas, including litigation, patent and trademark prosecution, as assigned.


• Significant progression of responsibilities and assignments should be assumed within the first year of hire.


• Embraces new processes and incorporates new technology to meet client demands as they evolve.


• Attends and actively participates in all secretarial and team meetings.


• May be required to provide backup for reception.


• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school degree or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate preferred


• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and Office programs, such as, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity or willingness to learn databases; familiarity with the Internet/Intranet and using the internet for research.


• Excellent attention to detail


• Excellent organizational skills and ability to efficiently handle multiple tasks


• Excellent oral and written communication (including spelling and grammar) and interpersonal skills are required


• Flexible attitude and the ability to deal well with changing assignments and priorities and rapid, yet variable, pace of work


• Willingness to learn and acquire advanced duties and provide support to varied team members.

Join Finnegan

Join Finnegan where your organizations skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask will drive success of one of the world’s leading IP law firms.

Location and Working Hours

The role can be based out of all our Dallas, TX and requires a hybrid/onsite work schedule.

Compensation and Benefits

• The base annual pay range for this role is $30.77 per hour; roughly $60,000 equivalent. The base pay to be offered will vary and depend on skills and qualifications, experience, location and will also take into account internal equity.


• A full range of medical, financial and/or other benefits dependent on the position will also be offered.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Finnegan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The firm is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment, as defined by applicable state and federal laws, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

For candidates needing reasonable accommodations or assistance with the application process, please contact Human Resources at 202.216.5400.

Our privacy policy for applicants can be found here.

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