Patent Prosecution Paralegal

Ashurst Perkins Coie; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 67,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

401(k) plan

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Ashurst Perkins Coie US LLP seeks a Patent Prosecution Paralegal to support its busy team with document management, docket tracking, and client coordination in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of patent prosecution experience, strong organizational and writing skills, and familiarity with USPTO Patent Center and ePCT. This role offers opportunities in portfolio management and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of patent prosecution experience.
• Strong organizational and writing skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience with USPTO Patent Center and ePCT; experience managing patent portfolios, preparing and filing IDS submissions, and coordinating with foreign associates.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, file, and manage U.S. patent applications, international PCT applications, and related filings with USPTO, WIPO, and foreign jurisdictions.
• Coordinate domestic and foreign prosecution activities, tracking deadlines and maintaining records.
• Monitor patent dockets, communicate with attorneys, clients, foreign counsel, and internal teams to ensure timely action.
• Review and report patent office correspondence.
• Communicate with clients regarding filings, deadlines, signatures, annuities and maintenance matters.
• Support attorney departures with transition documentation and matter coordination.
• Maintain legal databases like iManage and FIP.
• Participate in legal technology projects and process improvement initiatives.

Skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication

Writing skills

USPTO Patent Center

ePCT

Portfolio management

MS Office (Word & Excel)

Document management systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

USPTO Patent Center

ePCT

Job description

Drive Legal Operations Excellence.

Job Description

Patent Prosecution Paralegal

At Ashurst Perkins Coie US LLP, our people are our greatest asset. We’re looking for a detail-oriented, highly organized legal professional to support our Patent Prosecution Team with legal operations, document and information management, compliance processes, and technology initiatives. The role of Patent Prosecution Paralegal is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can manage sensitive information with discretion, and enjoys coordinating multiple priorities and projects.

What You’ll Do

• Prepare, review, and file U.S. patent applications, international PCT applications, and patent prosecution documents with the USPTO, WIPO, and foreign jurisdictions, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable rules and deadlines. Prosecution documents include, but are not limited to, office action responses, information disclosure statements, notices, formal documents, and other prosecution-related filings.
• Coordinate domestic and foreign patent prosecution activities, including preparing filing instructions, communicating with foreign associates, monitoring national phase deadlines, and maintaining prosecution records.
• Monitor and maintain patent dockets, track deadlines, and coordinate with attorneys, clients, foreign counsel, vendors, and internal docketing teams to ensure timely action and accurate recordkeeping.
• Review and report patent office correspondence.
• Communicate directly with clients regarding filings, official communications, deadlines, instructions, signatures, annuity and maintenance matters, and other patent prosecution activities.
• Support internal departments with attorney departures, including transition documentation, client matter coordination, file review, and communication with attorneys.
• Maintain legal databases and documentation, including but not limited to iManage and FIP.
• Participate in legal technology projects, testing, implementation initiatives, portfolio management projects, and process improvement efforts while maintaining organized and accurate records.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree and five-plus years of patent prosecution experience.
• Strong organizational, time-management, communication, and writing skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience with USPTO Patent Center and ePCT; experience managing patent portfolios, preparing and filing IDS submissions, and coordinating with foreign associates.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, and document management systems.
• Ability to build effective relationships with attorneys, staff, and other professionals while working independently under supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with legal operations, compliance processes, document management, or legal technology projects.

Why Join Ashurst Perkins Coie?

Join a collaborative legal team where your organizational skills, attention to detail, and legal expertise will directly support the firm’s attorneys and business operations. This role offers the opportunity to work across legal operations, compliance, technology, and administrative initiatives while contributing to a high-performing and supportive team environment.

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, 401(k) plan, medical, dental, and vision insurance, accrued paid time off plan starting at 20 days annually, personal medical and parental leave, up to 10 paid holidays, and family care benefits. More information regarding benefits and programs may be found here.

This position may be filled in the following locations. The listed compensation range reflects the typical pay for this role, though it is rare for new hires to receive an offer at the top of the range. Actual compensation may vary depending on experience, skills, market conditions, and internal equity.

• Colorado compensation range: $67,240 to $134,480 annually
• Washington state compensation range: $70,930 to $141,860 annually
• Washington, D.C. compensation range: $76,600 to $153,210 annually