Patent Specialist

McCarter & English; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Firm-Paid life and AD&D

Health & Wellness

Retirement plan 401(k)

PTO & Holidays

Employee assistance program

Job summary

McCarter & English, LLP in Boston, MA is seeking a Patent Specialist to support our vibrant patent practice. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree or a certificate and at least two years of patent experience, with eagerness to learn and work hard.

Responsibilities include assisting patent prosecutors with filing, IDS preparation, client reporting, and docket monitoring while maintaining organized digital files. Background check will be conducted for offers.

Qualifications

• Two+ years of patent experience required.
• Minimum of two years of legal assistant experience in the patent field.

Responsibilities

• Assist patent prosecutors and staff with daily patent prosecution activities, including filing of patent applications and responses to Office Actions.
• Prepare IDSs for attorney review and maintain IDS diligence for portfolios filed in multiple countries.
• Draft client reporting correspondence relating to patent prosecution for attorney review.
• Monitor patent prosecution dockets and prepare documents for attorney review.
• Maintain client digital files related to patent prosecution matters.

Skills

Patent experience

Legal assistant

Multitask

Typing

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or certificate (professional/business/secretarial)

Tools

MS Office

iManage

Job description

McCarter & English is seeking a Patent Specialist for our Boston, MA office. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree or a certificate from a professional/business/secretarial school, an interest in assisting our legal professionals in a vibrant patent practice in our Boston office, and a desire to work hard and to learn.Two+ years of Patent experience required. The salary range for this position is $50,000 – $90,000 annually depending on experience. If you have the appropriate experience, we invite you to consider joining our team. Candidates who receive an offer of employment will be processed through a background check which will be an individualized assessment based on the applicant’s or employee’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the specific job.

Related Duties

• Assist patent prosecutors and staff with daily patent prosecution activities, including preparation and filing of patent applications, responses to Office Actions, declarations, assignments, terminal dismissals, and other related patent prosecution support.
• Preparation of Information Disclosure Statements (IDSs) for attorney review, filing of IDSs, and ongoing IDS diligence in connection with patent portfolios filed in multiple countries.
• Drafting of client reporting correspondence relating to patent prosecution, for attorney review.
• Proactive monitoring of attorney patent prosecution dockets and reminders re: upcoming activities (and proactively preparing documents/correspondence for attorney review).
• Maintain client digital files relating to patent prosecution matters.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Training and Experience

• A minimum of two years of legal assistant experience in the patent field.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of USPTO patent filing and tracking systems (Patent Center)
• Familiarity with foreign patent office websites (e.g., European Patent Office, Canadian Patent Office, etc.)
• Comprehensive knowledge of MS office and familiarity with law firm document management systems (e.g., iManage)
• Must be able to multi-task in an extremely fast paced environment
• Ability to type accurately and use a personal computer
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Benefits (if FTE requirements met):

• Firm-Paid: Basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance and short-term (ST) and long-term (LT) disability benefits.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical/prescription drug coverage (the Firm pays a share of the cost), including a high deductible health plan with an annual Firm health savings account (HSA) contribution.
• Employee-Paid Voluntary Benefits: Dental and vision coverage, supplemental health plans (accident, cancer and critical illness), flexible spending accounts, optional life and AD&D insurance (supplemental employee, spouse and child) and supplemental STD coverage.
• Retirement:401(k) plan offering three types of contributions: pre-tax, Roth and after-tax contributions.
• Time Off: Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, and leaves of absence to support work-life balance (e.g. parental leave)

Additional Benefits:

• Free and confidential employee assistance program (EAP) and behavioral health services program
• Firm-paid back-up child/elder care, academic support and pet care program
• Tax-advantaged college savings 529 Plan
• Employee discountsthrough Working Advantage

Other Compensation:

• Eligibility for discretionary bonus.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

McCarter & English, LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.