Patent Paralegal III

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Job summary

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP seeks a Patent Paralegal III to oversee U.S. and international patent filings, manage deadlines, and draft client communications.

The role supports attorneys across patent prosecution matters, including information disclosure statements, and requires strong regulatory knowledge and client service. The position offers two shifts (9:00–5:30 and 11:00–7:30) with potential scheduling flexibility by manager approval.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years patent prosecution experience in professional services.
• Expert knowledge of international and USPTO rules and procedures.
• Strong filing and docket management abilities; ability to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate U.S. and international patent filings with client teams.
• Review docket to ensure deadlines are met and obtain instructions as needed.
• Prepare USPTO and international filings, responses, and related documents.
• Draft client correspondence and coordinate with foreign counsel.
• Assist with time entry, invoicing, and client reporting.
• Maintain files and ensure knowledge up-to-date on USPTO rules.

Skills

Patent prosecution

International patent law

USPTO filings

Office software

Research tools

Communication

Time management

Teamwork

Overtime readiness

Hybrid/onsite adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

IP management software

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 III will demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of U.S. and international patent law and firm procedures to prepare filings, manage deadlines and draft related correspondence. This position will also be responsible for monitoring filing deadlines, time entry, editing client bills and processing invoices in accordance to client standards and firm procedures. 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

• Coordinates U.S. and international patent application filings procedures with client teams.
• Reviews the docket to ensure that all deadlines are met appropriately, seeks instructions fromclient (as appropriate).
• Provides attorneys with information and/or materials to enable them to meet theirresponsibilities.
• Determines, distributes, and ensures compliance with client-specific procedures.
• Reviews for accuracy USPTO (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) and foreign patent officepapers in a timely manner (e.g., office actions) [This may be client specific; meaning, workingattorney and secretary may file responses to office actions and report the same to client].
• Prepares formalities associated with USPTO (and/or international patent offices) filings,including application papers, responses to Missing Parts, Information Disclosure Statements,Oaths/Declarations, correction of filing receipts, publication requests, assignment recordation,issue fee payment, certificate of correction; prepares and files new U.S. and national stageapplications.
• Drafts correspondence to client, foreign counsel, and others.
• Responds to client and attorney/staff inquiries in a timely manner.
• Coordinates the integration of transferred-in cases into firm system, including communicatingwith Records and Docket Departments.
• Communicates with client, professional and support staff in a professional manner.
• Maintains complete files in good order.
• Remains current in knowledge of USPTO rules and regulations and/or international practice.
• Opens new matters/new utility/new continuation/divisional/CIP matters.
• Processes invoices.
• Downloads any art cited by patent office examiner and saves appropriately.
• Adheres to best practices for time entry when recording billable and non billable time inaccordance with firm and client standards.
• Forwards substantive matters to working/review attorney (e.g., Office Actions).
• Prepares and instructs foreign counsel for national stage applications; coordinates with foreigncounsels to attend to any formalities associated with the filings (e.g. assignments, powers ofattorney, priority documents, etc.).
• Calls examiner or respective patent office if clarifications are needed or if respective patentoffice sends communications in error.
• Prepares and files PCT applications.
• Prepares and files other responses in the USPTO as required by attorney.
• Prepares monthly client reports.
• Maintains complete and accurate database tracking information as directed by client and/orattorneys; generates reports as needed.
• Reviews draft client bills to ensure accuracy of time and disbursement entries, suggests edits tobilling attorney; attends to payment of invoices.
• Performs factual research on client, competitors and other topics as directed.
• Attends and participates in patent prosecution and other technological trainings as assigned.
• Completes core training/cross-training, skills assessments and related development asassigned.
• Embraces new processes and incorporates new technology to meet client demands as theyevolve.
• May provide guidance, and act as a resource to Patent Paralegals and other staff as needed.
• Assumes progressive responsibilities within assigned work as experience is gained in theposition.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 8 years of patent prosecution experience in a professionalservices environment; OR, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 9 years of patent prosecutionexperience in a law firm environment required.
• Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge and understanding of international and patent lawrules, procedures and requirements.
• Ability to navigate USPTO website (or various international patent offices’ websites) andknowledge of search tools for patent and trademark information and experience elevatingissues to appropriate representatives if clarifications are needed.
• Strong experience with electronic filing procedures with USPTO and/or international patentoffice filing procedures.
• Ability to prepare and file new U.S. and national stage applications, PCT applications, and otherresponses in the PTO as required.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including meeting platforms such as Teams and Zoom,and the ability to learn the systems and databases used by the IP operations department andthe firm.
• Solid experience with case/matter management and/or other database tools and technologiesused to manage data and information.
• Expert research skills and proficiency in using various research tools, including the Internet and government websites.
• Strong customer service skills, including writing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to be a self-starter, while also comfortable taking direction from others.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet frequent deadlines, and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to deal courteously and efficiently with attorneys, clients, administrative and support staff,and outside vendors and professional peers.
• Ability and willingness to work overtime when necessary.
• Willingness to be a team player on all department projects.

If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for promoting success, we would love to hear from you.

The role can be based out of all our U.S. offices and requires a hybrid/onsite work schedule. The base annual pay range for this role is between $85,000 - $104,000. 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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