Sr. Paralegal, Intellectual Property

GIA (Gemological Institute of America); Carlsbad (CA); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

On-site cafe

Job summary

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) seeks an experienced Intellectual Property Senior Paralegal to support the management and protection of its global IP portfolio, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights. You'll partner with the Legal Affairs team and external counsel to safeguard assets and shape the Institute’s brand strategy.

Hybrid schedule with at least 3 days in Carlsbad, CA. The role emphasizes collaboration, accuracy, and proactive IP enforcement support across domestic and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field and 5+ years IP paralegal experience in law firm or corporate legal department
• Paralegal certificate from an accredited program required
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. and international trademark and patent systems, procedures and filings (e.g.: USPTO, WIPO, EUIPO)
• Experience managing IP databases/docketing systems
• Proficiency in IP docketing systems

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain the company’s domestic and international trademark and patent portfolios
• Coordinate and track filings, renewals, and deadlines with outside counsel
• Monitor IP watch notices, assist with clearance searches, and support enforcement efforts
• Maintain IP records and databases, ensuring accuracy and timely reporting
• Assist with IP-related agreements, audits, and due diligence projects
• Provide general support on copyright, licensing, and other IP matters as needed
• Conflict Resolution: able to settle differences in productive ways while minimizing disruptions
• Maintains & fosters sensitivity and respect for cultural diversity
• Mentoring: share and transfer knowledge to team members as needed
• Computer skills: Strong knowledge of MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Skills

English

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Time management

Adaptability

Cross-cultural awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Paralegal certificate

Tools

IP docketing systems

MS Office

Job description

Senior Paralegal, Intellectual Property– We offer a competitive benefits package!

The Company:

GIA is the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA is a global organization with headquarters located in Carlsbad, CA. GIA in Carlsbad boasts a 17-acre ocean view campus that accommodates approximately 800 of its 3,400 total employees worldwide. It offers many competitive health and commuter benefits that promote the well‑being of its employees as well as that of the environment.

The Location:

This position is located in Carlsbad, California at our corporate headquarters.

Hybrid work schedule.

Hybrid work schedule. Required to work at least 3 days at Carlsbad, CA office.

What To Expect

• We offer competitive medical, dental, vision and matching 401-K plans
• Paid vacation, sick and holidays, tuition assistance, commuter benefits

The Environment

• On‑site cafe - affordable custom breakfast and lunch meals and Starbucks drinks!
• Economic friendly services - electric vehicle charging stations on‑site
• Ergonomic assessments offered on‑site and virtually

Job Description

We are looking for an experienced Intellectual Property Senior Paralegal to join our in‑house legal team. In this role, you will support the management and protection of the company’s global IP portfolio, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights. You will work closely with the Legal Affairs team, business stakeholders, and external counsel to help safeguard and grow our valuable IP assets. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a collaborative, business‑focused environment where your contributions will have a direct impact on the Institute’s brand and innovation strategy.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Manage and maintain the company’s domestic and international trademark and patent portfolios

• Coordinate and track filings, renewals, and deadlines with outside counsel
• Monitor IP watch notices, assist with clearance searches, and support enforcement efforts
• Maintain IP records and databases, ensuring accuracy and timely reporting
• Assist with IP-related agreements, audits, and due diligence projects
• Provide general support on copyright, licensing, and other IP matters as needed

Skills & Abilities

Language skills: Proficiency in reading, writing and speaking in English required

• Communication skills: ability to communicate complex info in a simplified and clear manner; can communicate effectively with others, able to develop and modify communication strategies to deliver difficult or complex information. Actively listens and encourages the open expression of diverse ideas
• Interpersonal skills: ability to create positive interactions with colleagues; actively communicates with co‑workers or management in a timely & professional manner; maintains collaborative working relationship with others and peers to improve performance
• Teamwork: Interface well with others, knows who to go to and how to communicate issues/needs. Knows how to balance the interests of multiple stakeholders
• Problem Solving: Works on complex issues, requiring the ability to synthesize and analyze multiple sources of information to independently solve problems requiring strong judgement and decision‑making abilities
• Time Management/ Organizational skills: Manages time and priorities appropriately - approaches work in an organized and systematic manner. Able to manage large projects and deadlines
• Flexibility: able to adapt to change, able to multi‑task while maintaining attention to detail. Able to adapt communication styles. Understands that different situations may call for different approaches
• Personal Accountability: continually improves performance; takes personal accountability for decisions, actions & outcomes. Follows through on commitments and encourages others do the same

Key Responsibilities / Deliverables Weight / % of Time

6-12 bullet points of key functions and tasks sorted by importance from highest to lowest, or sorted by the amount of time spent from most to least; for hybrid positions, functions may be categorized by role; there should be a clear distinction between strategic and operational tasks; can performance be assessed against these?

• Manage and maintain the company’s domestic and international trademark and patent portfolios
• Coordinate and track filings, renewals, and deadlines with outside counsel
• Monitor IP watch notices, assist with clearance searches, and support enforcement efforts
• Maintain IP records and databases, ensuring accuracy and timely reporting
• Assist with IP‑related agreements, audits, and due diligence projects
• Provide general support on copyright, licensing, and other IP matters as needed
• Conflict Resolution: able to settle differences in productive ways while minimizing disruptions. Willingness to confront issues. Facilitates breakthroughs by integrating diverse views and finding common ground or acceptable alternatives.
• Maintains & fosters sensitivity and respect for cultural diversity. Seeks to understand different perspectives and cultures
• Mentoring: Always shares and transfers knowledge locally and/or globally to team members as needed
• Computer skills: Strong knowledge of MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related field, and 5+ years of IP paralegal experience in a law firm and/or corporate legal department; or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Paralegal certificate from an accredited program required
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. and international trademark and patent systems, procedures and filings (e.g.: USPTO, WIPO, EUIPO).
• Experience managing IP databases/docketing systems.
• Proficiency in IP docketing systems

Hybrid work schedule. Required to work at least 3 days at Carlsbad, CA office.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a designated professional office workstation and environment.

• Extensive use of office equipment to include computer, calculator, copier, fax, and other business‑related machines and software.

Pay Range:

$82-117K Annually

An Equal Opportunity Employer

All employment decisions are made without regard to unlawful considerations of race, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

This job description indicates in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification and it may be changed by management at any time. Other duties may also apply. Nothing in this job description changes the at‑will employment relationship existing between the Company and its employees.